Preliminary study on the photosynthetic performance in leaves of two olive cultivars

Olive is one of the most cultivated trees in the Mediterranean part of Croatia. The aim of this study was to compare some physiological and biochemical characteristics concerning photosynthetic apparatus in the leaves of two olive cultivars, Oblica and Leccino, to obtain preliminary data for further investigations of stress influence on their growth and productivity. It was shown that cv. Leccino was characterized by lower concentrations of chlorophylls and carotenoids than cv. Oblica. Also, decreased effective quantum yield of PSII (∆/F´m) and increased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) at high light conditions (800 μmmolm–2s–2) were measured in leaves of cv. Leccino. Based on presented results, we expect different stress responses of Oblica and Leccino leaves in further investigations.