Self Incompatibility and Sex Expression of Some Local and Imported Olive Cultivars in Lattakia -Syria

This study was conducted during 2007 and 2008 in order to investigate sex expression and self fertility in some local and imported olive cvs. ( Sourani Qaisi , Jlot , Seqwas, Frantoio, Moraiolo, Coratina, Picholine and Kalamata) grown in Lattakia (Bouka center). Before flower opining, the perfect / male flowers ratio were calculated on studied shoots. Self fertility was investigated by isolation of flower clusters by specific white paper bags before flower opining to assure self-pollination. White paper bags were removed after fruit setting, and the fruit number was calculated to determine the degree of self incompatibility (fruit set) in all studied cvs. Results indicated that there are significant differences among olive cultivars according to self incompatibility and sex expression. Moraiolo cv. gave the lowest significant value of sex expression, while Picholine showed the highest value . Kalamata cv. characterized with complete self incompatibility as it showed the lowest percentage of fruit setting under self-pollination conditions. Picholine cv. exhibited the highest significant percentage of self fertilization and sex expression that closely correlated with high acclimatization of this cv. to Lattakia condition as a coastal area.