Abstract

Somaclonal variation of the two Iranian olive cultivars named Dezful Baghmalek (DB) and Dezful Safiabad (DS) during the long-term propagation among 7 subcultures were evaluated. Morphological traits such as leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves on shoot, the length of shoots, internode distance and rooting percentage were measured. The study results showed that DB affected somaclonal variations more than the DS cultivar, especially rooting percentage, but the DS cultivar had a steady behavior, especially rooting percentage, during several subcultures. Although in all the traits that were fluctuating, irregular and unpredictable changes such as the length of shoots were observed, the most significant trait that was studied with almost a similar vibration in the two cultivars were leaf length and width changes measures. Totally, we could not select any specific subculture period for the creation of the maximum satisfied morphological changes, because it was suitable for increasing the internode distance (DB) and leaf length which were in the second and seventh subcultures that were optimized. Consequently, it was suitable for DS in the seventh subculture. For the purpose of accomplishing the proper morphological changes in the length of shoots, number of leaves and enhancement of rooting percentage in DB cultivar and also, internode distance and leaf width increase in DS cultivar, somaclonal variation during several subcultures will be appropriate.

Key words: Olea europaea L., somaclonal variation, Dezful cultivars.