In vitro reinvigoration of mature olive trees (Olea europaea L.) through micrografting

Summary Portions (1.0–1.5 cm long) of terminal shoots from selected mature treesOlea europaea L. cv. Arbequina, micrografted in one phase ontoin vitro juvenile shoots, resulted in the restoration of shoot-bud proliferation and rooting competence. Although higherin vitro survival rates were obtained after a second repeated micrografting, the reinvigoration ratio of the regenerated shoots, indicated by proliferation and rooting ability, was not improved after two phases of micrografting. Thus, one-phase micrograft allows for a successful micropropagation system for olive trees. The cuttings obtained from successive pruning of plants produced through micrografting and growth in soil showed complete restoration of rooting competence, with rooting percentages similar to those of juvenile microshoots.