Centennial Olive trees in Lebanon: a substantial patrimony
Résumé
This study aimed to assess the centennial olive trees growing across Lebanon, with the
perspective of conservation of the ancient germplasm. The survey indicated the existence
of numerous centennial olive trees distributed in different agro-climatic areas, from 80 to
1350 meters altitude across the country. Centennial olives were found in large size
orchards and scattered as well as in young orchards, road hedges and gardens for
ornamental purposes. Yet, no reliable information is available regarding the age of the
centennials, but they can considered as 500 to 1000 years old. Among these, only six
centennials located in Bcheale village in the north of the country at 1000 meters altitude
are considered as “millenials” or “monumentals” by the Ministry of Tourism, while the
remaining ones widespread across the countries are still ignored. As a preliminary
morphological characterization of the trees conducted on 292 centennials spread in 48
orchards, a large variability was recorded for foot, trunk and central cavity sizes. Principal
component analysis showed that foot and trunk circumferences as well as central cavity
diameter were the most discriminating descriptors. Most of the 48 orchards were clustered
together in one pool sharing similar traits. The most outstanding orchards were located in
10 locations distributed across Lebanon. At the tree level, six single trees located in North
and Mount Lebanon were well differentiated by their large sized foot, trunk and central
cavity diameter. These centennials should be further characterized using morphological
and agronomical descriptors in order to understand their performance through time and to
valorize them in selection programs.
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