The Millenium olives (Olea europea L.) in Lebanon: rejuvenation, micropropagation and olive oil variation during maturation and conservation

This study aimed to establish culture initiation from axillary buds in vivo and in vitro of Bchealehs millennium trees (Olea europea L.). Oil parameters were also studied. In vitro, the treatment which gave the best survival rate (56.7%) was Carbendazim (2g/l) and fosethyl-aluminium (6g/l) as fungicides, NaOCl (15%) and Chloroxylenol (2.5%) as detergent, and oxytetracycline (1mg/l). MS, OM and WPM supplemented with BAP (2, 3 and 4mg/l) gave the best proliferation rate (47%), newly developed explants (1.35) and multiplication rate (1.08) were obtained during autumn on MS media followed by OM and WPM. The longest explants (1.78cm) and the highest number of newly developed leaves (3.58) were observed on the MS media added with 3mg/l BAP. During subcultures, all parameters decreased. After elongation phase, MS (2mg/l of NAA) gave the highest rooted explants (22%). Explants which developed callus on their base were rooted (23%) without any subculture. The mean value of rooted Bchealehs cuttings during 2010 was 10.67%, while this amount didn't exceed 4% during 2009. The highest oil content (28.96%), flesh/pit ratio (6.63:1), and weight (4.31g) were recorded during the last week of November 2010. One year after conservation, Bchealehs oil met the IOOC and Libnor standards for exportation of extra virgin olive oil with maximum recorded value of free acid (0.41); peroxide value (19.1) and iodine value 87.2.