MAIN VARIETIES UNDER THE SHD

• Arbequina (photo gallery)

  The Arbequina variety gets its denomination from  the area of origin, located near the spanish  town of Arbeca. The Arbequina Sel. Agromillora and Irta I-18 are both very productive and definitely fit for the super-intensive system. In general, the Arbequina variety presents low vitality, open canopy and average-high foliage density. Equipped with a high level of self-fertility, it enters into an early  production with a high and constant productivity. This variety also presents a medium length’s ripening period whereas the process of maturity of the fruit is quite fast. The yield on the mill is on average level and the oil quality is very good,  mainly due to its excellent balance.

  The Arbequina variety is certainly the most widespread in the super-intensive Spanish plants and also in the rest of the world, and for this reason it can be considered the variety of reference in the new super-intensive cultivations in many countries such as Chile, Morocco, Tunisia, Portugal, France, Italy, USA, Australia, Argentina….

• Arbosana (photo gallery)
  

  Originally from Penedès (Spain), the Arosana variety probably owes its name to the population of the Tarragonaese town of  L’Arboç. It is a variety characterized by a very high and consistant productivity with an early entry into production. It features a compact habit with short internodes and a medium-high  density of the foliage, but it’s mainly due to its contained strength that this variety is  particularly suitable for super-intensive cultivations. It also has a high level of self-fertility. The fruit matures at a later stage with a slow ripening process.

  The oil content is medium, and the product is generally of high organoleptic value. Currently its spread is increasing in Spain as well as in other olive-growing countries. The only limit is a certain sensitivity to colder climates.

• Koroneiki (photo gallery)
  

  The Koroneiki variety originates from Greece and it’s very widespread, especially in the island of Crete.  It presents an average vitality and open canopy, but with a fairly short internode. It has an early ripening process, a high level of self fertility  and a high but not too consistant productivity. Particularly resistant to drought, this variety is instead quite sensitive to cold temperatures. The ripening process can be collocated in between the Arbequina and Arbosana varieties.

  The yield on the mill is quite high and the quality of the oil produced is excellent, very fruity and stable. The Koroneiki variety is still very interesting for the super-intensive system as it holds the 50-60% of the olive growing surface area in its country of origin. Although to a lesser extent than in Arboquina and Arbosana, this variety is spreading in the super-intensive plantations around the world.

 

• Tosca (photo gallery)
  

  La Tosca is a new italian variety obtained by  the programme of genetic improvement of the Attilio Sonnoli nurseries in Uzzano (PT)-Italy. This variety is well suitable to the super-intensive system due to its vigour and its compact habit that makes it particularly adequate to the mechanical pruning and consequently to the whole mechanization of  the plantation. Its productivity is high and consistent, while the flowering and the ripening processes are quite early.

   La Tosca variety presents a high percentage of self-fertility an it’s equally resistant to cold and drought. The yield on the mill is on average level and the quality of the oil is very good  due to its excellent balance that makes it particularly suitable to any kind of blend  and gastronomic use.

  This variety has been protected in the European Union, Chile, United States, Morocco and Tunisia.