Qualitative Wood Anatomy Study of Ottobratica and Sinopolese Cultivars of Olea europaea L

Olive wood is used in a niche economic context but is attracting growing interest. In this study, the wood anatomy of Olea europaea L. belonging to two cultivars cultivated in the Plain of Gioia Tauro in Calabria (RC) is qualitatively described. Wood samples were obtained along the diameter of wood slices to investigate any anatomical differences between the inner and outer zones of the stem. The microscopic slides were investigated using an optical microscope. The anatomical characteristics observed were compared with existing literature data. The two cultivars show parenchyma rays arranged not only in one to two rows (typical of this species), but also in three rows. Furthermore, in both cultivars, the presence of starch deposits in procumbent parenchyma cells was observed. The Ottobratica cultivar seems to have more starch than the Sinopolese one, but given the high variability of olive wood, further quantitative analysis is needed to determine whether these differences are statistically valid and due to the different cultivars. This work can contribute to a better understanding of the Olea europaea L. species and to a better technical valorisation of its wood.