Abstract
The "Chemlali Sfax" is the main variety of olive oil in Tunisia. It contributes by more than 30 % of the olive oil national production. Unfortunately, it is very rich in palmitic and linoleic acid and has a low percentage of oleic acid. That is why the olive oil of this variety causes problems in exportation (according to the regulations of the C.O.I).
To put a remedy to this situation, a clonal selection work based on the level and the regularity of the production has been done by Khlif and Trigui (1986,1990). This work has permitted to choose a number of clones. These clones have been planted since 1994 in the field of the olive tree Institute of Sfax. To complete this work, a yearly consistent of pomological and chemical characteristics is conducted.
The preliminary results of the study have proved on the one hand the intravariability of the "Chemlali Sfax" and have marked on the second hand the interesting clones according to productivity, acid composition and stability of their oil. In fact, the analysis of the main components and the hierarchic classification have allowed to select 6 clones out of 31 with an oil rate over 52% (in relation to the dry weight) and a good chemical characteristics of their oil (acid composition according to the Regulations, high content of phenolic compounds and very stable oil).