Introduction of natural and old olive stands in Ilam province

Olive is a evergreen and long-lived tree, and native to Mediterranean region. The trees are tolerant of drought, salinity and almost totally neglect, so that they grow well in poor soils. This multipurpose and ancient tree, which is introduced as first tree in Torah (Torat), has played an important role in supporting human principal needs such as food, medicine and industry, for thousands of years, and its importance is ever-increasing. In Iran similar to many parts of the world, there are some natural stands of olive trees in areas such as: Gorgan, Barez Mountains and Zagross Mountains. In most parts of Ilam province, in northwest of Iran (in Zagross Mountains), with Mediterranean climate, there are some natural stands or individual trees or shrubs of olive Throughout the present research total 24 sites of natural olive in the province, were recognized and their physiographic, topographic characteristics and physiology of those olive trees as a valuable genetic sources, were registered and presented. The olive species in total sites is Olea europaea L. , that is almost a shrub but have a high genetic diversity especially in size of fruits. Recognition, storage and use of this valuable genetic sources, that has been out of attention for many years, not only have resistance to some pests and disease in sever conditions, but also have some good crops, is very important and helps us to find improved cultivars for sustainable development of olive orchards in Ilam province and other similar regions.