Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2, 311–325, Ljubljana 2020 doi:10.14720/aas.2020.116.2.1923 Original research article / izvirni znanstveni članek First morphological characterization of autochthonous olive (Olea euro- paea L.) denominations from central and eastern of Algeria Rachid BOUKHARI 1, 2 , Abdelkader AMEUR AMEUR 3 , Hocine INNAL 4 , Semir Bechir Suheil GAOUAR 3 Received October 13, 2020; accepted November 24, 2020. Delo je prispelo 13. oktobra 2020, sprejeto 24. novembra 2020. 1 High school of agronomy, Laboratory of biotechnology applied to agriculture and environmental preservation, Mostaganem, Algeria 2 Corresponding author, e-mail: boukharach@gmail.com 3 University Abu Bakr Belkaid, Laboratory of Physiology, Physiopathology and Biochemistry of Nutrition (PPABIONUT), Tlemcen, Algeria 4 Institut technique des arbres fruitiers et de la vigne (ITAFV), Algeria First morphological characterization of autochthonous olive (Olea europaea L.) denominations from central and eastern of Algeria Abstract: Olive (Olea europaea L.) resources in Algeria are very little investigated. In fact, a total of 60 denominations have been the subject of characterization studies and they are cited in the bibliography but only 36 varieties are described and listed in the catalog of Algerian varieties of olive tree. In this work, a study on the diversity by mean of a field survey followed by morphological characterization, an estimate of the Shannon diversity index of a set of denominations collected in central and eastern of Algeria were carried out. The survey allowed us to note the existence of 33 denominations never mentioned in the bibliography. Morphological characteriza- tion based on the characteristics of tree, fruit and endocarp al- lowed us to a morphological description of 23 denominations. The Principal Component Analysis, Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Ascending Hierarchical Classification analysis allowed us to classify them into a few groups. The value of the relative diversity of all denominations is slightly below the average (0.42). The results obtained in this work provide very useful information on certain morphological characteristics of the studied denominations and indicate the critical conditions in which several denominations are found, which constitutes a great risk of genetic erosion. Key words: denominations; diversity; genetic erosion; morphological characterization; olive tree; survey Prvo morfološko ovrednotenje samoniklih akcesij oljk (Olea europaea L.) iz osrednje in vzhodne Alžirije Izvleček: Populacije oljke (Olea europaea L.) so v Alžiriji slabo preučene. Dejansko je bilo celokupno preučenih le 60 akcesij, ki so navedene v literaturi, a od teh je bilo opisan- ih le 36 sort, ki so navedene v katalogu alžirskih oljčnih sort. V tej raziskavi je pregledu diverzitete na terenu sledila razis- kava morfoloških lastnosti in določitev Shannonevega indeksa raznolikosti akcesij nabranih v osrednji in vzhodni Alžiriji. Na osnovi raziskave smo lahko zabeležili 33 novih tipov, ki še niso bili omenjeni v literaturi. Morfološko ovrednotenje je temeljilo na znakih kot so lastnosti drevesa, ploda in endokarpa, kar nam je omogočilo morfološki opis 23 tipov. Z analizo glavnih component, korespondenčno analizo in analizo hierarhične klasifikacije smo te akcesije lahko razvrstili v pet skupin. Vrednost relativne raznolikosti je za vse akcesije nekoliko pod poprečjem (0,42). Rezultati, pridobljeni v tej raziskavi, dajejo koristne informacije o morfoloških lastnostih preučevanih ak- cesij in nakazujejo kritične razmere, v katerih so bile številne akcesije najdene, kar predstavlja veliko tveganje za genetsko erozijo. Ključne besede: akcesije; raznolikost; genetska erozija; morfološka oznaka; oljka; pregled Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 312 R. BOUKHARI et al. 1 INTRODUCTION Algeria, like all Mediterranean countries, has a long history with olive (Olea europaea L.) growing. With its high diversity of bioclimatic stages, it constitutes a large reservoir of olive resources. In fact the western region is dominated by the Sigoise variety and some introduced varieties, but the central and eastern regions have a very high varietal richness. In general, confusions about cultivar names ex- ist in all olive-growing countries (Trujillo et al., 2013). Synonymies (different names for the same cultivar) and homonyms (the same name for different cultivars) are extremely common among and in olive-growing coun- tries (Barranco et al., 2000a). Several morphological characterization studies on Algerian olive resources are carried out but very few of them are published (Mendil and Sebai, 2006; Sidhoum and Gaouar, 2013; Sidhoum and Gaouar, 2017; Bouchef- fa et al., 2018; Sidhoum et al., 2018; Abdessemed et al., 2018; Boukhari and Gaouar, 2018). Hauville (1953) re- ported the presence in Algeria of 150 olive cultivars more or less abundant. A project entitled “Conservation, Char- acterization, Collection and Use of Genetic Resources of the Olive Tree”, launched by the International Olive Council, led to the characterization and conservation of 36 local cultivars listed in the catalog of Algerian olive varieties (Mendil and Sebai, 2006). During the last ten years, several studies of genetic characterization by mo- lecular markers have been carried out on Algerian olive resources. These studies allowed to characterize a set of 60 cultivars (Dominguez-Garcia et al., 2011; Haouane et al., 2011; Trujillo et al., 2013; Abdessemed et al., 2015; Boucheffa et al., 2016; Boucheffa et al., 2018; Di Rienzo et al., 2018). However, these numbers seems to be very far from the actual number of cultivars existing in Alge- ria: first, comparisons between the results that had been obtained in these different works are essential in order to detect probable cases of synonymies and/or homonyms. Secondly, several other older native denominations ex- ist in different regions and remain uncharacterized, un- exploited and threatened with extinction. Thus, on one side, among several traditional olive-growing regions in central and eastern Algeria (such as Tizi-ouzou, Bejaia, Setif, Skikda, Guelma, Batna and El Taref), there are a considerable number of cultivars with unique character- istics which never cited in the bibliography. On another side, historical events experienced by Algeria through the ages (conquests and migrations of populations) have allowed the olive tree to settle in regions distant from the Mediterranean basin in semi-arid to arid climates. Nowa- days, we find in some remote corners of the high plateaus stripped of all perennial vegetation, many vestiges of ol- ive presses dating from the Roman era while the olive oil was the subject of an intense trade between Algeria and Rome (Alloum, 1974). The availability of subterranean water resources in these areas is also a key factor in the development of this crop. This is the case of the regions of Khirane and Zaouia (Wilaya of Khenchela) and Ain Zaatout (village of Ath Ferrah, Wilaya of Biskra) (located between latitudes 35°09’N and 34°54’N) where this crop is known since at least the Roman era, which is attested by the presence of old oil mills and trees several centuries and millennia (Camps-Fabrer, 1954). These cultivars are very important for their adaptation to the semi-arid and arid climate of the region and their agronomic charac- teristics as well as their socio-economic and ecological interest for the region. The great lack of information on the diversity of this crop and the accelerated climate change experienced by Algeria, coupled with mismanagement problems at the olive grower scale (inappropriate conduct, lack of pro- duction tools and modern knowledge) and also at the level of the central and local administration (encourage the cultivation of certain Algerian cultivars like Chemlal or introduced to the detriment of native cultivars, ab- sence of efficient national program of preservation of the plant genetic resources etc ...), threaten the varietal richness by the risk of the disappearance of old cultivars with restricted diffusion which may have very interest- ing characteristics of production, quality, resistance, and adaptation. The problem resides in the permanent loss of some of the olive resources that are still poorly known and whose consequences are not sufficiently evaluated at present. Native cultivars are important not only for the pres- ervation of biodiversity but also for their specific adap- tation to local growing conditions (Poljuha et al., 2008). In this context this study works on highlighting the fol- lowing objectives: prospecting as well as morphological characterization of olive resources in central and eastern of Algeria in order to provide more information on the actual state of olive diversity in Algeria. This is an essen- tial element for the establishment of possible preserva- tion and genetic improvement programs. 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 STUDy AREAS, FIELD SURVEy S AND SAM- PLING The field trips were made with the help of the Tech- nical Institute of Fruit Tree and Grapevine (ITAFV) in different regions of the center and east of the country (El Taref, Bouira, Setif, Tizi- ouzou, Bejaia, Khenchela, Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 313 First morphological characterization of autochthonous olive (Olea europaea L.) denominations from central and eastern of Algeria Biskra, Skikda and Guelma) during the harvest period and during two successive olive growing seasons (2014- 2016). The geographic positions of the study areas are shown in Figure 1. The GPS coordinates as well as the irrigation con- duct of the study areas, are summarized in Table 1. This step allowed us to record and collect samples of all un- known denominations and to have data on the cradle of each denomination, its distribution and its agronomic potential, as well as the local know-how that will be use- ful for better preservation and use of the resource. 2.2 MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION The morphological characterization concerned the quantitative and qualitative descriptors of the tree, the fruit and the endocarp described in the methodol- ogy established by the International Olive Council in its methodology for the primary characterization of olive varieties. Observations and measurements were made on 40 fruits and 40 endocarps of each tree at the rate of 5 trees per denomination. Twenty five (25) characters from the tree, fruit and endocarp were used in this study, of which 10 are quantitative and 15 are qualitative (Table 3). Analysis of variance (ANOV A), homogeneous groups (alpha = 0.05), principal component analysis (PCA) and ascending hierarchical classification (AHC) were calcu- lated using Statistica V10 software while the multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was performed by Xl- stat (2014). Moreover, In order to estimate the phenotypic di- versity of quantitative traits, the Shannon-Weaver index (Shannon and Weaver, 1964) is calculated on the basis of the frequencies of the classes corresponding to each trait. The Shannon-Weaver index is given by the follow- ing formula: Pi: frequency of class i n: number of individuals of a class in the sample A value of the relative diversity index (J) is obtained Figure 1: Sampling areas Areas GPS location Irrigation Ain Zaatout (Biskra) 35°08’40,4”N 5°49’58,8”E Insufficient gravity irrigation Khirane (Khenchela) 35°00’16,4”N 6°45’18,6”E Insufficient gravity irrigation Zaouia (Khenchela) 34°57’40,0”N 7°02’10,6”E Insufficient gravity irrigation Beni Meloul (Setif) 36°23’10,8”N 5°01’10,9”E Without irrigation Fedj Ziadi (El Taref) 36°25’09,7”N 8°18’40,9”E Without irrigation Gastu (Skikda) 36°42’18,6”N 7°17’56,7”E Without irrigation Josef (Skikda) 36°37’19,1”N 6°48’57,8”E Without irrigation Fejouj (Guelma) 36°36’26,2”N 7°20’05,4”E Without irrigation Table 1: GPS coordinates and irrigation conduct of the study areas Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 314 R. BOUKHARI et al. by dividing the value of (H) on its maximum value Hmax (Hmax = Ln (n)): 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1 FIELD PROSPECTING The field prospecting that we carried out led us to record the existence of 59 denominations other than the 36 varieties already described in the catalog of Algerian olive varieties. 33 of them have not been the subject of any study and are never cited in the bibliography ( (b) in Table 4) and 23 of them were considered in our study ( (d) in Table 4). This study has allowed us to highlight that: (1) the presence in some olive-growing regions (El Tarf, Bouira, Setif, Tizi-ouzou, Bejaia, Skikda and Guelma) of several denominations not known until now. (2) There are sev- eral small isolated historical areas of olive growing in the region of southern Aurés (semi-arid to arid climate re- gions) as Khirane (wilaya of Khenchela) and Ain Zaatout (wilaya of Biskra) rich in olive resources not yet recorded. The olive tree has practically disappeared today from the Aurasian landscape (the Aurés region) although 150 years ago it was still very much alive below 1000 m, the presence of numerous ruins of presses throughout the massif up to the altitude of 1500 m seems to indicate that the culture of this tree was very developed there in Antiquity (Morizot, 1993). It is to highlight that new plantings have been put in place, in several regions of the country, during the last two decades in the framework of several programs for the establishment of 1.000.000 hectares of olive tree: PPDRI (Proximity Rural Development Project) FNRDA (National Regulatory Fund and agricultural develop- ment) PSD (Sector Development Program) (Frah et al., Denomination Abbreviation 1 Ahia ousbaa  AHIA 2 Akenane  AK 3 Alslith  ALS 4 Azeboudj de Ain Zaatout AZB-AZ 5 Azeboudj Boudhoudhane AZB-B 6 Azeboudj de Khirane AZB-K 7 Azeboudj de Elouandoura AZB-E 8 Azizawth AZIZ 9 Balbal BAL 10 Barouni  BAR 11 Abeskri de Ain Zaatout  ABS 12 Blanquette de Gastu B-GASTU 13 Bouchouka  BOUCH 14 Bouguenfou  BOUG 15 Chetoui  CHET 16 Derdi  DER 17 Guerboua  GUER 18 Melissi  MEL 19 Rougette de Fejouj  R-FEJOUJ 20 Serti  SERT 21 Taliani  TAL 22 Serradj  SERR 23 Azerradj de Ain Zaatout AZR Table 2: List of the 23 denominations studied Organs Characters Endocarp characters PN Endocarp mass LN Endocarp length DN Endocarp width LN/DN Length to diameter ratio of the endocarp SyAN Symmetry in the A position of the endocarp SyBN Symmetry in the B position of the endocarp PDmaxN Position of the maximum diameter of the endocarp FsomN Form of the summit of the endocarp FbaseN Form of the base of the endocarp SurfN Surface of the endocarp NS Number of furrows ESN End of the summit of the endocarp Fruit characters PO Fruit mass LO Fruit length DO Width of the fruit LO/DO Length to diameter ratio of the fruit SyAO Symmetry in the A position of the fruit PDmaxO Symmetry in the B position of the fruit FsomO Form of the summit of the fruit FbaseO Form of the base of the fruit Mam Presence of the nipple RPN Pulp / endocarp ratio Tree char- acters Vig Vigor of the tree DensF Density of foliage Port The port of the tree Table 3: List of studied characters Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 315 First morphological characterization of autochthonous olive (Olea europaea L.) denominations from central and eastern of Algeria N° Denomination Area N° Denomination Area 01 Abani a.c Khenchela 49 Bouichret a.c Bejaia 02 Aberkane a.c Bejaia 50 Boukaïla a.c Constantine 03 Abeskri de Ain Zaatout b.d Biskra 51 Bouricha a.c Skikda 04 Abeskri de Khirane c Khenchela 52 Braouki c Skikda 05 Aedli b Tizi-ouzou 53 Chemlal a.c Kabylie 06 Aelah a.c Khenchela 54 Chetoui c.d Skikda 07 Aghchren de Titest a.c Setif 55 Derdi b.d Skikda 08 Aghchren de Elousseur a.c Setif 56 Derdouri c Skikda 09 Aghenfas a.c Setif 57 El-Kharfi c Skikda 10 Aghenfous c Setif 58 Ferkani a.c Tebessa 11 Agrarez a.c Bejaia 59 Gelb al faroudje c Batna 12 Aguenaou a.c Setif 60 Grosse de Hamma a.c Constantine 13 Aharoun a.c Bouira 61 Guerboua b.d El Taref 14 Ahia-Ousbaa c.d Khenchela 62 Hamra a.c Jijel 15 Ahorri b Tizi-ouzou 63 Hamraya b Khenchela 16 Aîmel a.c Bejaia 64 Hebraya b Khenchela 17 Akenane c.d Biskra 65 Ifiri c Béjaia 18 Akerma a.c Bejaia 66 Issoual b Béjaia 19 Akounyane b Tizi-ouzou 67 Kahlaya b Khenchela 20 Alslith (Lasli) b.d Khenchela 68 Kerdoussi c Skikda 21 Altifane b Setif 69 Laaninbi c Skikda 22 Amezzir b Tizi-ouzou 70 Lahmar c Skikda 23 Arihani b Tizi-ouzou 71 Limli a.c Bejaia 24 Arjouni b Bouira 72 Lokchiri c Skikda 25 Attounsi c Setif 73 Longue de Meliana a.c Ain defla 26 Azeboudj de Ain Zaatout b.d Biskra 74 Mekki a.c Khenchela 27 Azeboudj Boudoudane c.d Khenchela 75 Melissi b.d Setif 28 Azeboudj de Khirane b.d Khenchala 76 Neb jmel a.c Khenchela 29 Azeboudj de Louandoura b.d Khenchala 77 Oukhelfa b Khenchela 30 Azeradj a.c Bejaia 78 Reyab b Khenchela 31 Azeradj de Ain Zaatout b.d Biskra 79 Ronde de Meliana a.c Ain defla 32 Azeradj Tamorka c Setif 80 Rougette de Metidja a.c Blida 33 Azevli b Tizi-ouzou 81 Rouihni c Skikda 34 Azizawth (Khadraïa) c.d Khenchela 82 Roujette de Fejouj b.d Guelma 35 Balbal d Skikda 83 Serradj b.d Skikda 36 Balbal2 c Skikda 84 Serti b.d Skikda 37 Barouni b.d El Taref 85 Sigoise a.c Mascar 38 Beskri c Batna 86 Souidi a.c Khenchela 39 Blanquette de Castu c.d Guelma 87 Tabelout a.c Bejaia 40 Blanquette de Guelma a.c Guelma 88 Takesrit a.c Bejaia 41 Blilti c Skikda 89 Taliani b.d El Taref Table 4: List of Algerian olive resources Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 316 R. BOUKHARI et al. 2015). However, almost all these new olive groves consist of either introduced cultivars or dominant Algerian culti- vars (Chemlal, Sigoise ... etc). This action, although it has many positive points on the development of Algerian olive growing, it could worsen the situation of rare indigenous cultivars with very limited distribution. 3.2 MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS Table 5a and Table 5b summarize the results of the measurements carried out on 23 denominations studied. ANOV A test reveals very highly significant differences be- tween the denominations for all traits studied. The coef- ficient of variation varies from a minimum of 9.84 % for the character PO/OD to a maximum of 55.36 % for the character PO. The PN, NS, RPN and PO characters show high variations with values of 25.80 %, 37.68 %, 42.08 % and 55.36 % respectively. The BAL denomination has the highest average for the characters PO, LO, DO, LN and DN (8.66 g, 32.33 mm and 22.75  mm, 21.93  mm and 8.98  mm respectively), while the GUER denomination has the highest average for the RPN ratio and DN (9.84 and 9.73 mm respectively), and the lowest average for LN and LN/DN (12.44 mm and 1.29 respectively). The denominations GUER and BAL, with a large caliber, are widely distinguished from the oth- er denominations, they are characterized by very superior quantitative values and they are very appreciated as table olive by the olive growers and local consumers. It should be noted that these two denominations are not very exis- tent even in their growing regions. The BOUG denomination is characterized by the lowest averages for PO, LO, DO, and LN (1.50 g, 16.99 mm, 12.01 mm, 12.59 mm respectively). In contrast, the SERR denomination has the lowest averages for PN and DN (0.28 g and 6.12 mm, respectively). The SERT denomina- tion has the highest average for LN/DN and LO/DO ra- tios (2.60 and 1.62, respectively). The TAL denomination has the highest average for NS (10.51) while the AZIZ denomination has the lowest average for this trait (5.25). Finally, the SERR and AZB-E denominations are charac- terized by the lowest average for PN (0.28 g). The denominations AHIA, AK, ALS, BAL, B-GAS- TU, CHET, GUER, R-FEJOUJ, TAL and SERR show the highest RPN character values. This character informs us about the richness of the fruit in pulp which is the main and most important part. Based on this trait, the denom- inations given could give important oil yield results or can be used as valuable table olive. By using the morphological description of the de- nominations studied, based on 20 traits of the tree, the fruit and the endocarp, a morphological description is given in Table 6a and Table 6b for the 23 denominations studied. This allowed us to give an identity for each of them and to differentiate them from those of the catalog of Algerian olive varieties which goes in favor of the hy- pothesis of unique cultivar of each denomination. This study allowed us to enrich the list of olive varieties that exist in Algeria with 33 candidate denominations that can constitute varieties in their own right. In this case, a study by molecular markers is necessary to detect cases of taxonomic confusion (synonymy or homonymy). 3.2.1 Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Figure 2 shows the projection of the characters on the plane generated by the first two principal components accumulating 74.37 % of total inertia. The variables PO, PN, LO, LN, DO, DN and LO/DO explain most of the variance on the first axis (negatively correlated). While the second axis is explained by the variables LN/DN, NS and RPN (correlated negatively). BAL and GUER de- a : Cultivars described in the catalog of Algerian olive varieties (36 cultivars) (Mendil et Sebai, 2006). b : Denominations never mentioned in the bibliography (33 denominations) (Original, 2020). c : Denominations already characterized by molecular markers (60 denominations) ((Dominguez-Garcia et al., 2011; Haouane et al., 2011; Trujillo et al., 2013; Abdessemed et al., 2015; Boucheffa et al., 2016; Boucheffa et al., 2018; Di Rienzo et al., 2018). d : Denominations sampled for morphological characterization in this work (23 denominations). Continued 42 Bouchouk c Setif 90 Tefah a.c Bejaia 43 Bouchouk Guergour a Setif 91 Telthi c Batna 44 Bouchouk Lafayette a.c Setif 92 Thawraghth b Setif 45 Bouchouk Soummam a.c Bejaia 93 Thazougaghth b Setif 46 Bouchouka b.d Skikda 94 Zeletni a.c Khenchela 47 Boughefous a.c Setif 95 Zitoune b Skikda 48 Bouguenfou b.d Khenchela Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 317 First morphological characterization of autochthonous olive (Olea europaea L.) denominations from central and eastern of Algeria Denomination PN (g) *** LN (mm) *** DN (mm) *** LN/DN *** NS *** AHIA 0.30±0.05 bc 14.10±2.21 d 6.62±0.32 f 2.13±0.34 g 6.10±1.21 b AK 0.37±0.09 f 14.57±1.98 e 7.15±0.54 h 2.04±0.22 e 7.37±1.14 c ALS 0.34±0.05 e 14.06±0.92 cd 6.92±0.38 g 2.04±0.19 e 8.61±1.36 g AZB-AZ 0.29 ±0.05 ab 13.81±0.81 c 6.23±0.38 bcd 2.22±0.15 h 7.43±1.00 c AZB-B 0.55±0.13 k 17.74±1.52 k 7.60±0.48 m 2.34±0.17 mp 8.04±1.56 f AZB-K 0.38±0.05 f 15.91±2.12 g 6.96±0.30 g 2.29±0.33 km 7.59±1.11 cde AZB-E 0.28±0.05 a 13.13±1.06 b 6.2±0.43 abc 2.12±0.13 f 8.73±1.23 gh AZIZ 0.34±0.06 e 12.72±1.16 a 6.94±0.41 g 1.83±0.13 c 5.25±1.17 a BAL 0.91±0.14 s 21.93±1.63 p 8.98±0.85 s 2.46±0.27 q 12.66±1.85 s BAR 0.47±0.07 h 15.90±1.33 g 7.35±0.38 k 2.16±0.17 g 9.91±1.21 p ABS 0.48±0.10 h 15.87±2.23 g 7.94±0.59 p 2.00±0.26 de 7.53±1.55 cd B-GASTU 0.32±0.06 de 14.98±1.30 f 6.35±0.39 e 2.36±0.21 p 8.65±1.44 g BOUCH 0.71±0.09 q 19.06±1.37 m 8.31±0.45 q 2.30±0.17 km 7.49±1.78 c BOUG 0.31±0.31 ab 12.59±1.53 a 6.16±0.50 ab 2.04±0.16 e 9.14±1.98 k CHET 0.31±0.06 c 14.92±1.54 f 6.26±0.53 cde 2.47±1.34 p 9.01±1.57 hk DER 0.43±0.08 g 14.22±1.13 d 7.13±0.45 h 2.00±0.14 d 7.87±1.17 df GUER 0.69±0.13 p 12.44±1.43 a 9.73±0.95 t 1.29±0.21 a 8.68±1.70 g MEL 0.57±0.09 m 16.67±1.05 h 7.64±0.45 m 2.19±0.15 gh 7.82±1.72 def R-FEJOUJ 0.29±0.05 abc 14.24±1.36 d 6.24±0.34 bcd 2.29±0.22 k 9.59±1.58 m SERT 0.56±0.07 km 18.92±1.46 m 7.30±0.34 k 2.60±0.20 s 10.41±1.51 q TAL 0.31±0.03 cd 15.63±0.94 g 6.32±0.25 de 2.48±0.17 q 10.51±1.35 q SERR 0.28±0.05 a 14.90±1.21 f 6.12±0.37 a 2.44±0.18 q 10.43±1.54 q AZR 0.33±0.05 e 12.77±0.94 a 7.34±0.31 k 1.74±0.14 b 7.48±0.99 c CV % 42.08 17.42 13.74 15.02 25.80 p-value < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Table 5a: Results relating to quantitative trait measurements *** : very highly significant ANOV A result (alpha = 0.05); a, b, c, d, e, f…: homogeneous groups nominations are not included in this analysis because they have extreme values. The PCA also shows the grouping of the characters studied into two groups. The first includes the charac- ters DN, PN, LO / DO LN, LO, PO and DO. The second group contains the characters LN / DN, NS and RPN. Projection of individuals (Figure 3) shows that the denominations AZB-B, ABS, BOUCH and SERT are characterized by the highest values for the characters PO, PN, LO, LN, DO, DN and LO/DO. In contrast, the denominations AZB-AZ, AZB-E and BOUG are char- acterized by the lowest values for these same traits. The B-GASTU, CHET, R-FEJOUJ, TAL and SERR de- nominations show high NS, LN/DN and RPN, while the AZIZ, DER, MEL and AZR denominations show reduced values for the same characters. The results of PCA show that it is possible to dis- tinguish between the denominations using the charac- ters of the fruit, the endocarp, in particular: PN, LN, DN, LN / DN, LO, PO and RPN. On another side, the grouping of characters by the PCA into two groups can most probably be a reflection of a pleiotropic effect and therefore exploitable for possible genetic improvement tests. For the denominations AZB-B, ABS, BOUCH and SERT, despite the high values of mass, length and width of the fruits, their interest is affected by the high values of the endocarp for these same characters, which also results in lower RPNs. On the other hand the denomi- nations AZB-AZ, AZB-E and BOUG record reduced values for these same characters of the fruit, which can be explained by the fact that they are feral forms, not cultivated and not exploited because either of their small fruits or their relatively large endocarp. Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 318 R. BOUKHARI et al. Denomination PO (g) *** LO (mm) *** DO (mm) *** LO/DO *** RPN *** AHIA 2.63±0.57 k 20.40±2.19 f 15.17±1.02 m 1.35±0.13 fg 7.88±1.91 p AK 2.99±0.56 m 21.17±2.09 hk 16.34±1.14 s 1.30±0.10 b 7.40±1.81 km ALS 2.68±0.39 k 20.45±1.42 f 15.44±0.80 p 1.33±0.08 de 6.97±1.40 h AZB-AZ 1.72±0.23 b 18.23±1.01 b 13.05±0.75 c 1.40±0.07 mp 5.14±1.40 e AZB-B 3.51±0.52 q 24.75±1.53 s 15.82±0.76 q 1.57±0.08 t 5.68±1.44 fg AZB-K 2.10±0.36 de 20.87±2.19 gh 13.37±0.85 d 1.56±0.16 t 4.62±1.14 d AZB-E 1.64±0.24 b 17.87±1.06 b 12.56±0.70 b 1.42±0.06 q 5.00±1.23 e AZIZ 2.18±0.43 e 18.62±1.46 d 14.37±0.97 g 1.30±0.09 bc 5.61±1.38 f BAL 8.66±1.27 t 32.33±1.81 u 22.75±1.27 u 1.42±0.08 q 8.71±2.04 q BAR 2.45±0.32 gh 20.50±1.81 fg 14.82±0.69 h 1.38±0.10 km 4.29±1.06 c ABS 3.27±0.62 p 22.58±2.07 q 16.55±1.06 t 1.37±0.12 ghk 5.99±1.34 g B-GASTU 3.09±0.50 m 21.74±1.65 p 16.19±0.86 s 1.34±0.09 ef 8.67±1.75 q BOUCH 3.34±0.66 p 24.64±1.76 s 16.19±1.23 s 1.52±0.08 s 3.81±1.12 b BOUG 1.50±0.40 a 16.99±1.88 a 12.01±1.08 a 1.41±0.08 pq 4.51±1.35 cd CHET 2.46±0.66 gh 20.30±2.44 f 14.87±1.34 hk 1.36±0.08 gh 7.01±1.83 h DER 1.93±0.40 c 18.81±1.67 d 13.71±1.08 e 1.37±0.09 hk 3.66±1.22 ab GUER 7.21±1.03 s 25.53±1.47 t 22.96±1.12 u 1.11±0.06 a 9.84±2.31 s MEL 2.49±0.34 h 21.62±1.29 mp 14.13±0.85 f 1.53±0.09 s 3.44±0.78 a R-FEJOUJ 2.35±0.43 fg 19.66±1.80 e 14.97±0.93 hk 1.31±0.11 cd 7.13±1.65 hk SERT 3.38±0.52 p 25.43±1.56 t 15.67±0.86 q 1.62±0.08 u 5.15±1.15 e TAL 2.62±0.37 k 21.32±1.20 km 15.07±0.82 km 1.42±0.07 pq 7.49±1.41 m SERR 2.30±0.58 f 20.23±2.05 f 14.30±1.36 fg 1.42±0.08 pq 7.30±2.08 hkm AZR 1.98±0.18 cd 18.58±0.91 cd 14.31±0.51 fg 1.30±0.07 bc 5.11±1.00 e CV % 55.36 16.80 16.65 9.84 37.68 p-value < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Table 5b: Results relating to quantitative trait measurements ***  : very highly significant ANOV A result (alpha = 0.05); a, b, c…: homogeneous groups 3.2.2 Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) Based on qualitative traits, the MCA (Figure 4) ranks the 23 denominations in five (05) groups: Group 1: composed by GUER denomination charac- terized by slightly asymmetric endocarp in position B and symmetrical fruits in position A. Group 2: composed by AHIA and AZB-K denomina- tions which are characterized by fruits with nipples. Group 3: composed by denominations AK, AZIZ, AZB-E, ABS, BOUG and AZR which are characterized by symmetrical endocarp in position B, and slightly asymmet- ric fruits in position A with a central position of the maxi- mum diameter and a rounded form of the summit without nipple. Group 4: composed by ALS, AZB-AZ, BAR, CHET, DER, MEL, R-FEJOUJ and SERT denominations which are characterized by slightly asymmetric endocarp in position A and symmetrical in position B with a rough surface. Group 5: composed by denominations AZB-B, BAL, BOUCH, B-GASTU, TAL and SERR which are character- ized by endocarps slightly asymmetric in position A, sym- metrical in position B with a central position of maximum transverse diameter and a pointed form of the summit, and fruits with a central position of the maximum transverse diameter and trees with strong vigor. 3.2.3 Ascending Hierarchical Classification (AHC) The ascending hierarchical classification with mor - phological data (Figure 5) produces a dendrogram rep- resenting the 23 denominations classified into six (06) different groups: Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 319 First morphological characterization of autochthonous olive (Olea europaea L.) denominations from central and eastern of Algeria Table 6a: Morphological description of the 23 denominations studied Characters AHIA AK ALS AZB-AZ AZB-B AZB-K AZB-E AZIZ BAL BAR ABS B-GASTU Endocarp PN M à E M M R à M E M R à M M E E E M LN/DN El à Al El El El à Al Al El à Al El O à El Al El à Al El Al SyAN L.As L.As L.As L.As L.As L.As Sy L.As L.As L.As L.As L.As SyBN Sy Sy Sy Sy Sy Sy Sy Sy Sy Sy Sy Sy PDmaxN V. S o C C C C C C C C C V. S o C FSoN P P Ar P P P Ar Ar P Ar Ar P FbaseN P P Ar P P P Ar P P P P P SurfN Ru Ru Ru Ru Rab Ru Ru Ru Rab Ru Rab Ru NS M à E M M M M M M R E M M M ESN Av.Mu Ss.Mu Av.Mu Ss.Mu Av Mu Av.Mu Ss.Mu Ss.Mu Av.Mu Av.Mu Av.Mu Av.Mu Fruit PO M M M R M R à M R R à M très E M M M LO/DO O O O O Al Al O O O O O O SyAO L.As L.As L.As L.As As L.As L.As L.As L.As L.As L.As As PDmaxO C C C C C C C C C C C C FSoO Ar Ar Ar Ar Ar P Ar Ar P Ar Ar P FbaseO Ar Ar Ar Ar T P Ar T Ar T T T Mam Abs Abs Abs Abs Abs Prés Abs Abs Abs Abs Abs Eb Tree Vig M Ft Ft Ft Ft M Ft Ft Ft M M Ft DensF La M La La M La La La M Co M M Port Dr Et Dr Dr Et Re Re Et Dr Dr Re Et Use H H DF - - - - H H H DF DF M : medium; E : high ; très E : very high ; R : reduced ; El : elliptical; Al : lengthened; O : oval ; S : spherical ; Sy : symmetrical ; As : asymmetrical ; L.As : slightly asymmetrical ; C : central ; V .So : towards the summit; V .Ba : towards the base ; P : sharp; Ar : rounded ; T : tranquered ; Ru : rough ; Rab : dresser ; Li : smooth ; Av.Mu : with mucron ; Ss.Mu : without mucron ; Abs : absent ; prés : present ; Eb : draft ; Ft : strong ; Fb : weak ; La : cowardly ; Co : compact ; Dr : trained ; Et : spread out ; Re : falling back ; H : oil ; DF : dual purposes. Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 320 R. BOUKHARI et al. Table 6b: Morphological description of the 23 denominations studied Characters BOUCH BOUG CHET DER GUER MEL R-FEJOUJ SERT TAL SERR AZR Endocarp PN R à M R à M M à.E E E R à M E M R à M M E LN/DN El Al El S El à Al El à Al Al Al Al O à El Al SyAN Sy L.As L.As L.As L.As L.As L.As L.As L.As L.As L.As SyBN Sy Sy Sy L.As Sy Sy Sy Sy Sy Sy Sy PDmaxN C C V. S o C C C C C C V. S o C FSoN Ar P Ar Ar Ar P P P P Ar P FbaseN Ar P P Ar P Ar Ar Ar Ar Ar P SurfN Ru Ru Ru Rab Ru Ru Ru Rab Ru Li Rab NS M à E M à E M M M M à E E E E M M ESN Ss.Mu Av.Mu Av.Mu Ss.Mu Av.Mu Av.Mu Av.Mu Av.Mu Av.Mu Ss.Mu Ss.Mu Fruit PO R M R à M très E M M M M M R à M M LO/DO O O O S Al O Al O O à Al O Al SyAO L.As L.As L.As Sy As L.As As L.As à As As L.As As PDmaxO C C V. S o C V. S o C V. S o C C C C FSoO Ar P Ar Ar Ar Ar P P P Ar P FbaseO Ar Ar Ar Ar Ar T T T Ar T P Mam Abs Abs Abs Abs Eb Abs Abs Eb Abs Abs Abs Tree Vig Ft Ft Ft M Fb Ft Fb Ft Ft Ft Ft DensF M Co Co M Co Co La Co Co M Co Port Re Et Re Et Et Dr Dr Et Et Et Et Use DF - DF H H H H H H DF H M : medium; E : high ; très E : very high ; R : reduced ; El : elliptical; Al : lengthened; O : oval ; S : spherical ; Sy : symmetrical ; As : asymmetrical ; L.As : slightly asymmetrical ; C : central ; V .So : towards the summit; V .Ba : towards the base ; P : sharp; Ar : rounded ; T : tranquered ; Ru : rough ; Rab : dresser ; Li : smooth ; Av.Mu : with mucron ; Ss.Mu : without mucron ; Abs : absent ; prés : present ; Eb : draft ; Ft : strong ; Fb : weak ; La : cowardly ; Co : compact ; Dr : trained ; Et : spread out ; Re : falling back ; H : oil ; DF : dual purposes. Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 321 First morphological characterization of autochthonous olive (Olea europaea L.) denominations from central and eastern of Algeria Group 1: composed only by the BAL denomination that is characterized by the highest values for the major- ity of the characters except for LO/DO. Group 2: composed only by the GUER denomina- tion that is characterized by high values for PO, LO, DO, PN, LN, DN. This denomination is also characterized by reduced values for LO/DO and LN/DN. Group 3: composed by the three denominations: BAR, MEL and AZB-K that are characterized by high LO/DO, LN/DN and reduced RPN ratio. Group 4: composed by six denominations: AZIZ, AZR, DER, BOUG, AZB-E and AZB-AZ that are char- acterized by reduced values for PO, PN, LO, LN, DO and DN. Group 5: composed by three denominations: AZB- B, BOUCH and SERT which are characterized by a high PO, LO, DO and LO/DO. On the other hand, they have reduced RPN ratio. Group 6: composed by the nine remaining denomi- nations (09) namely: AHIA, AK, ALS, ABS, B-GASTU, CHET, R-FEJOUJ, TAL and SERR. These denominations are characterized by intermediate values for PO, LO, DO LO/DO and LN. The results of the Ascending Hierarchical Classifica- tion are consistent with those obtained by principal com- ponents analysis. These two tests (based on quantitative traits), with Multiple Correspondence Analysis (based on qualitative characteristics) classified the 23 denomi- nations into five to six groups with relatively similar mor- phological characteristics. Figure 3: Projection of individuals on the plane generated by the first two main components (PCA). (1) : Ahia ousbaa ; (2) : Akenane ; (3) : Alslith ; (4) : Azeboudj de Ain Zaatout; (5) : Azeboudj Boudhoudhane; (6) : Azeboudj de Khirane; (7) : Azeboudj de Elouandoura; (8) : Azizawth; (9) : Balbal ; (10) : Barouni ; (11) : Abeskri de Ain Zaatout ; (12) : Blanquette de Gastu; (13) : Bouchouka ; (14) : Bouguenfou ; (15) : Chetoui ; (16) : Derdi ; (17) : Guerboua ; (18) : Melissi ; (19) : Rougette de Fejouj ; (20) : Serti ; (21) : Taliani ; (22) : Serradj ; (23) : Azerradj de Ain Zaatout. Figure 2: Projection of characters on the plane generated by the first two main components (PCA) Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 322 R. BOUKHARI et al. 3.2.4 Diversity Index (Shannon-Weaver) The Shannon-Weaver relative diversity indices (J) of all traits and denominations as well as the means are presented in Table 7. The average relative diversity of all denominations and characters is 0.42. The characters NS, SyAO, and SyAN have the high- est average values of relative diversity (0.63, 0.66, and 0.73 respectively), followed by PN, LN/DN, LO/OD, FbaseO, PDmaxN, and FbaseN which have lower average values (between 0.42 for PDmaxN and 0.54 for LO/OD). The other characters have low average values (between 0.24 for SyBN and 0.35 for FsomO and FsomN). The denominations AHIA, AK, AZB-K and BOUG have the highest average values of relative diversity (be- tween 0.55 and 0.58). The other denominations are char- acterized by lower mean values (between 0.31 for GUER and 0.47 for ALS). The average relative diversity of all denominations obtained (0.42) is lower than that recorded by (Sidhoum et al., 2018) who conducted studies on samples composed of local and introduced denominations in western Alge- ria, and by (Laaribi et al., 2014) on hybrids of Chemlali in Figure 4: Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) of the 23 denominations. (1) : Ahia ousbaa ; (2) : Akenane ; (3) : Alslith ; (4) : Azeboudj de Ain Zaatout; (5) : Azeboudj Boudhoudhane; (6) : Azeboudj de Khirane; (7) : Azeboudj de Elouandoura; (8) : Azizawth; (9) : Balbal ; (10) : Barouni ; (11) : Abeskri de Ain Zaatout ; (12) : Blanquette de Gastu; (13) : Bouchouka ; (14) : Bouguenfou ; (15) : Chetoui ; (16) : Derdi ; (17) : Guerboua ; (18) : Melissi ; (19) : Rougette de Fejouj ; (20) : Serti ; (21) : Taliani ; (22) : Serradj ; (23) : Azerradj de Ain Zaatout. Figure 5: Ascending hierarchical classification (AHC) (1) : Ahia ousbaa ; (2) : Akenane ; (3) : Alslith ; (4) : Azeboudj de Ain Zaatout; (5) : Azeboudj Boudhoudhane; (6) : Azeboudj de Khirane; (7) : Azeboudj de Elouandoura; (8) : Azizawth; (9) : Balbal ; (10) : Barouni ; (11) : Abeskri de Ain Zaatout ; (12) : Blanquette de Gastu; (13) : Bouchouka ; (14) : Bouguenfou ; (15) : Chetoui ; (16) : Derdi ; (17) : Guerboua ; (18) : Melissi ; (19) : Rougette de Fejouj ; (20) : Serti ; (21) : Taliani ; (22) : Serradj ; (23) : Azerradj de Ain Zaatout. Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 323 First morphological characterization of autochthonous olive (Olea europaea L.) denominations from central and eastern of Algeria Table 7: Shanon’s relative variability index (J) Characters PN LN/DN PO LO/DO NS ESN SyAO PDmaxO FsomO FbaseO Mam SyAN SyBN PDmaxN FsomN FbaseN SurfN Average AHIA 0.65 0.60 0.36 0.74 0.62 0.23 0.71 0.32 0.58 0.83 0.88 0.84 0.31 0.58 0.63 0.04 0.41 0.55 AK 0.93 0.65 0.23 0.71 0.62 0.96 0.61 0.27 0.60 0.63 0.16 0.87 0.35 0.50 0.60 0.46 0.57 0.57 ALS 0.45 0.66 0.16 0.51 0.74 1.00 0.63 0.35 0.06 0.53 0.35 0.84 0.00 0.61 0.34 0.59 0.15 0.47 AZB-AZ 0.63 0.50 0.23 0.61 0.59 0.17 0.18 0.53 0.30 0.63 0.00 0.63 0.00 0.18 0.62 0.00 0.11 0.35 AZB-B 0.55 0.39 0.28 0.24 0.82 0.00 0.54 0.31 0.62 0.95 0.00 0.98 0.34 0.80 0.63 0.03 0.16 0.45 AZB-K 0.41 0.58 0.47 0.57 0.62 1.00 0.76 0.03 0.63 0.89 0.63 0.85 0.26 0.63 0.63 0.57 0.41 0.58 AZB-E 0.62 0.38 0.14 0.56 0.65 0.81 0.34 0.00 0.30 0.68 0.00 0.52 0.11 0.63 0.30 0.34 0.36 0.40 AZIZ 0.62 0.48 0.46 0.59 0.34 0.80 0.52 0.17 0.04 0.77 0.00 0.71 0.23 0.52 0.29 0.60 0.22 0.43 BAL 0.00 0.33 0.00 0.56 0.18 0.29 0.86 0.12 0.63 0.00 0.00 0.86 0.43 0.17 0.63 0.47 0.00 0.33 BAR 0.58 0.56 0.21 0.59 0.58 0.00 0.20 0.11 0.48 0.00 0.00 0.59 0.44 0.54 0.48 0.33 0.52 0.36 ABS 0.59 0.73 0.10 0.89 0.47 0.04 0.38 0.27 0.61 0.28 0.02 0.91 0.13 0.64 0.61 0.44 0.32 0.44 B-GASTU 0.69 0.40 0.10 0.65 0.74 0.00 0.89 0.13 0.52 0.53 0.64 0.54 0.15 0.09 0.52 0.55 0.00 0.42 BOUCH 0.00 0.41 0.33 0.45 0.89 0.11 0.94 0.18 0.03 0.34 0.64 0.59 0.44 0.12 0.03 0.19 0.00 0.34 BOUG 0.77 0.49 0.30 0.63 0.92 0.96 0.83 0.30 0.61 0.52 0.00 0.47 0.03 0.60 0.61 0.57 0.68 0.55 CHET 0.68 0.36 0.44 0.61 0.75 0.00 0.89 0.34 0.25 0.85 0.58 0.47 0.34 0.11 0.25 0.46 0.51 0.46 DER 0.71 0.37 0.48 0.48 0.51 0.00 0.54 0.65 0.05 0.26 0.66 0.49 0.15 0.63 0.05 0.60 0.00 0.39 GUER 0.11 0.44 0.23 0.00 0.82 0.00 0.47 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.95 0.84 0.45 0.00 0.97 0.00 0.31 MEL 0.31 0.48 0.21 0.35 0.89 0.00 0.78 0.67 0.46 0.63 0.00 0.64 0.09 0.64 0.62 0.51 0.30 0.45 R-FEJOUJ 0.66 0.48 0.33 0.86 0.63 0.00 0.88 0.17 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.82 0.00 0.39 0.00 0.48 0.68 0.40 SERT 0.27 0.03 0.35 0.03 0.56 0.00 0.27 0.73 0.27 0.00 0.51 0.73 0.18 0.30 0.00 0.59 0.68 0.32 TAL 0.53 0.10 0.16 0.63 0.45 0.00 0.81 0.37 0.31 0.60 0.63 0.73 0.62 0.08 0.00 0.49 0.31 0.40 SERR 0.59 0.23 0.44 0.63 0.54 0.00 0.75 0.06 0.16 0.63 0.36 0.75 0.24 0.15 0.00 0.46 0.00 0.35 AZR 0.50 0.48 0.50 0.59 0.47 0.34 0.83 0.66 0.21 0.38 0.52 0.91 0.00 0.41 0.42 0.13 0.32 0.45 Average 0.52 0.44 0.28 0.54 0.63 0.29 0.64 0.29 0.35 0.48 0.29 0.72 0.25 0.42 0.36 0.43 0.29 0.42 Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 116/2 – 2020 324 R. BOUKHARI et al. Tunisia (self-pollinations and cross-pollinations with lo- cal and introduced denominations). The diversity index can inform us about the degree of selection to which the different characters studied are submitted. In fact a high diversity index obtained for the characters: NS, SyAO, and SyAN will probably be due to a weak selection and/or genes that code for not very important characters, while a low diversity index obtained for the rest of the characters could be explained by either a strong selection and/or by genes which code for important characters. The highest average values of relative diversity obtained for the de- nominations AHIA, AK, AZB-K and BOUG can be ex- plained by the fact that denominations AHIA and AK are less subject to selection and/or spread over more diverse environments than other denominations, while for AZB- K and BOUG this is explained by the fact that they are feral forms and therefore not subject to selection. 4 CONCLUSIONS Native olive resources are of considerable interest in the development of the olive sector in Algeria. This work aims to update and provide as much information as possible about the diversity of olive denominations using morphological characters. Field surveys in several regions of central and east- ern Algeria led to the registration of 33 denominations never mentioned in the bibliography. This number does not obviously reflect the actual number of existing de- nominations because several other regions are not yet prospected and cases of synonymy and homonymy can exist between different denominations. Morphological characterization allowed a morphological description based on the characters of the tree, fruit, and endocarp of the 23 denominations studied, and principal component analysis and ascending hierarchical classification allowed to classify them into six groups. The value of the relative diversity of all denominations is slightly below the aver- age (0.42). The results obtained in this work provide very useful information on the richness of Algerian olive resources and on certain morphological characteristics of the stud- ied denominations, but only a genetic characterization by the molecular markers could confirm or invalidate the unique genetic identity of each denomination (a project of characterization by the SSRs markers is in progress). Finally, in view of the critical conditions and the situation in which many of these denominations are found, it is urgent and imperative to carry out programs of introduction and preservation in-situ and ex-situ of these olive-growing resources, in particular those of Khi- rane and Ain Zaatout (wilaya of Khenchela and wilaya of Biskra respectively) which are in very extreme environ- mental conditions. 5 ACKNOWLEDgEMENTS This work was carried out with the help of: S. Keciri (ITAF Sidi Aich), N. Boutemine (ITAF Constantine), O. Bougamouza (ITAF Skikda), Hamzaoui (DSA Khenchela), L. Fendali and L. Ababsa (subdivision agricole, Chechar, Khenchela), N. Hassani frome the vil- lage Ain Zaatout (Biskra), M. Chebah frome the village Khirane (Khenchela), A. M. Amziane and S. Abadlia. 6 REFERENCES Abdessemed, S., Muzzalupo, I., Benbouza, H. (2015). Assess- ment of genetic diversity among Algerian olive (Olea euro- paea L.) cultivars using SSR marker. 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