Olive tree named ‘I-31’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of olive tree, herein referred to by its cultivar name, ‘I-31’, is provided which forms a upright to spreading growth habit. Fruit with a low weight and acute shape is produced. The fruit exhibit dark violet coloration and the fruit nipple is absent or weak. The stone of the fruit of the new variety is of low to medium weight, very elongated and possess a weakly rugose surface.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of olive tree named ‘I-31’, as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photographs show as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same, in a color illustration of this character, typical specimens of the plant parts of the new variety. The accompanying photographs were taken from a specimen of the new variety that was 68 months old.

(2) FIG. 1—illustrates the growth of the new variety.

(3) FIG. 2—illustrates the foliage of the new variety.

(4) FIG. 3—illustrates specimens of the new variety's fruit.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart, 2007 edition), London, England. The terminology which precedes reference to the chart has been added to indicate the corresponding coloring more common terms. The description is based on data collected from a four-year-old specimen during 2019 in Villafranca (Córdoba, Spain). Plant: Habit.—Erect-open. Growth habit.—Upright to spreading. Vigor.—Weak. Height-average.—226 cm. Width-average.—162 cm. Branching habit.—Spreading to dropping. Growth period.—All year, less in winter or stronger in summer. Trunk: Surface texture.—Smooth. Bark color.—Medium brown green (148C). Diameter (average).—62 mm. Main stems: Length (average).—170 cm. Amount of main branches.—5. Circumference (average).—About 35 cm. Color designation (young stems).—Medium brown green (148C). Color designation (mature stems).—Medium brown green (148C). Lenticels.—Absent. Internode length (average).—15 cm. Lateral branches: Abundance.—High. Cross-section.—20 cm. Average length.—80 cm. Diameter (average).—20 mm. Internode length (average).—10 cm. Texture.—Smooth. Strength.—Medium. Color designation (young branches).—Medium brown green (148C). Color designation (mature branches).—Medium brown green (148C). Pubescence.—Absent. Leaves: Arrangement.—The arrangement of the leaves is typical of Olea europaea L. Species (two opposite leaves per each node). Venation pattern.—Pinnately parallel. Length (average).—66 mm. Width (average).—9.6 mm. Color (upper surface) young leaves.—Light green (142A). Color (lower surface) young leaves.—Light green (142D). Color (upper surface) mature leaves.—Medium green (143A). Color (lower surface) mature leaves.—Light green (142D). Leaf margins.—Smooth. Texture.—Smooth. Petiole: Average length.—4 to 6 mm. Average diameter.—1 mm. Inflorescence: Type.—Racime. Average length.—3 cm. Average width.—2 cm. Number of flowers (average).—At least 15. Flower bud size.—About 4 mm. Flower bud shape.—Ovate. Flower bud color.—Light green (142D). Flower: Diameter (average).—5 mm. Color.—Light green (142D). Corolla: Number (average).—4. Length (average).—3 mm. Width (average).—2 mm. Shape.—Elliptic. Apex.—Rounded. Base.—Fused. Texture.—Smooth. Color (upper).—White (155A). Color (lower).—White (155A). Calyx: Number (average).—4. Shape.—Funnel. Base.—Fused. Margin.—Entire. Texture.—Smooth. Color (upper).—White (155A). Color (lower).—White (155A). Pedicel: Length (average).—1 to 2 mm. Diameter (average).—1 mm. Color.—Light green (145D). Fruit: Average weight.—Low, about 1.21 grams. Shape-apex.—Acute. Color (flesh color).—Dark violet (N77C). Color (skin color).—Black (N186A). Ripening.—Early. Fat yield.—High, 23% if fat in the fruit. Size (average).—Small. Length (average).—15 mm. Width (average).—10 mm. Marbling.—Medium. Symmetry.—Asymmetric. Pistil scar.—Centrate. Mucron.—Present 4 (1-9 scale). Shape.—Ovate. Apex.—Pointed. Base.—Rounded. Nipple.—Light. Lenticels (average).—2 in 1-10 scale. Stalk: Length (average).—5 to 10 mm. Diameter (average).—Less than 1 mm. Color.—Light green (145C). Depth of stalk cavity (average).—1 mm. Stone: Quantity.—1. Shape.—Very elongated. Average weight.—Low to medium, about 0.22 grams. Average length.—11 mm. Average width.—8 mm. Grooving.—7. Sutures.—Medium. Color.—Dark Green Brown (152C). Texture.—Weakly rugose. Mucron.—Present 4 (1-9 scale). Development: Productivity.—Very high and constant, 700 oil liter per acre and year. Time of flowering.—2 weeks. Flowing period.—First of May full flowering in Villafranca de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain. Time of ripening.—3 months. Ripening period.—October-December in Villafranca de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain. Winter hardness/cold tolerance.—Unknown. Drought/heat tolerance.—Unknown. Plant/fruit disease, pest resistance.—Resistant to Cucumovirus cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Nepovirus cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV), Incertae Sedis strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV), Nepovirus arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) and leaf spot. Tolerant to Verticilium and tuberculosis.

(6) The new ‘I-31’ variety has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions.