Bolarić, Snježana, Benčić, Đani, Kauf, Zorica, Kozumplik, Vinko, Kožarić Silov, Gordana, Šindrak, Zoran, Crnica, Karmela, Dujmović Purgar, Dubravka, Vokurka, Aleš, Franekić, Jasna, and Garaj-Vrhovac Verica
Croatia is abundant with diversity of local olives varieties [Olea europea L.]. Among them, 'Oblica' is the most widespread variety in production. Except 'Oblica', two other local varieties, 'Krvavica' and 'Šljivarica' are produced for 150 years, according to the age of some trees. These varieties were under threat of extinction ten years ago. During the recent years, the interest for olive growing and production of varietal extra virgin olive oil from the variety 'Krvavica' have been increasing. Extra virgin olive oil of 'Krvavica' is the product which can be developed into the brand according to which the region of Skradin may be recognized. Many gold medals won in the international and national olive oil exhibitions support this. Due to high interest for intensive growing, there is increasing need for revitalization of the variety 'Krvavica', and the existence for reliable characterisation of variety on the phenotypic and molecular level. The goal of this research is to determine phenotypic and genetic profile of 'Krvavica' and 'Šljivarica' by means of morphological and SSR markers. Different trees of 'Krvavica', 'Šljivarica', and 'Oblica' from Skradin and Dubrovnik were were analysed in order to determine their genetic profile. Morphological data according to UPOV list of descriptors were collected for determination of phenotypic profile. Morphological and molecular similarity of the trees and influence of individual traits for their distinguishing were analysed by analysis of variance, principal component analysis (PCA) and UPGMA. The variety of the trees was verified using molecular analysis on 11 SSR loci for olive. The trees of 'Krvavica' from Skradin have unique genetic profile in comparison to those originated from Dubrovnik. There was higher genetic similarity between 'Oblica' and 'Šljivarica' in comparison to 'Krvavica'. The phenotypic and genetic profile of 'Krvavica', 'Šljivarica' and 'Oblica' from Skradin was created according to the research.