This new invention of an olive plant is characterized by its similarity to the ‘Koroneiki Standard’ (unpatented) from the island of Crete (Greece) from which it is a clonal selection, but is distinguished therefrom by producing a very small fruit early in the age of the tree (3rd leaf), better vigor, and higher productivity. The plants are ideally suited for olive oil production, mechanical harvesting and high density planting. The fruit matures in northern California during the third week of October.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of olive plant,Olea europaea,and will hereafter be denominated varietally as ‘Koroneike Selection OLINT’ and more particularly to an olive plant that produces fruit for harvest during the third week of October in the Gridley area of the northern Sacramento Valley in California and which is further distinguished as to novelty by having better vigor and fruit production than the parent ‘Koroneiki Standard’ (non-patented) variety. The variety ‘Koroneiki Standard’ has been used in Greece (Crete) for olive oil production over the past decade.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

This new variety was vegetatively reproduced by cuttings after clonal selection (naturally occurring mutation) in Greece, and shipped and planted at two sites in Spain in 1995: Cataluna and Andelucia. After several years of evaluations, these clonal selections, chosen for the characteristics of medium vigor and very good production, were vegetatively propagated in 1997 and shipped in the United States. After completion of post-entry quarantine requirements in Oregon, in 2001 the vegetatively propagated material was shipped to Gridley, Calif. In 2004, 60,000 cuttings were asexually propagated.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety of olive tree is characterized by having the general characteristics of the ‘Koroneiki Standard’ variety but having the important distinction of having better vigor and very good production, maturing in northern California in the third week of October. Since this olive tree is smaller than the standard varieties (e.g. ‘Manzanillo.’), the new variety is well suited for mechanical harvesting and high density planting (i.e. 670 plants/acre).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the horticultural details of the new and distinct variety of olive trees, the following descriptions have been observed in a three year old tree under the ecological details prevailing at the site of origin which is located near Gridley, Calif. in the Sacramento Valley of northern California. All major color designations are by reference to the Dictionary of color by Maerz & Paul, First Edition, 1930. Common colors are also employed.

LEAVES

FLOWERS

FRUIT

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS