#wearexylellafree – The future of Salento olive growing

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#wearexylellafree – The future of Salento olive growing

Changing cultivars to guarantee a future to the Salento olive growing is possible thanks to the use of varieties resistant to the bacterium.
The xyella continues its advance towards the north, up to touch the territories of the municipalities of Oria, Francavilla Fontana, to name a few, causing the disseccaménto of olive trees, leading the affected areas, to a loss of production in oil, never before occurred.
So it happens that the 2018, also an accomplice cold and frigates of March, will be remembered as the black year for the Puglia oil sector, which is about to experience years of profound changes.
That change that, Vivai Spinelli, intends to pursue by promoting and encouraging the planting of varieties completely tolerant to the bacterium, in the infected areas, where since last May it is possible to replant.

We are talking about Leccino, Leccino Clone Minerva CSS02, Fs 17-Favolosa cultivars deriving from the improvement studies carried out since the 1980s by the National Research Council and by the Tuscan nursery companies Sonnoli and Cinelli.
The first, (Leccino, ed) the best known, is already widely present in the Apulian areas, and is the first valid alternative to the bacterium: its tolerance has been proven since the first studies in 2015.
Later, in the first months of 2017, the resistance of the Fs 17 variety was found, better known as “Favolosa”. The cultivar, obtained by Prof. Fontanazza from clonal selections of cv Frantoio, was completely immune in the plants built between 1990-1995 and present in the province of Lecce.
Leccino clone minerva CSS02 is one of the clones patented by the Vivai Attilio Sonnoli of Uzzano: in addition to being resistant to cold and boasting more quality and quantity of olive production, it has recently been declared resistant to Xylella as belonging to the Leccino’s varietal family.
Looking specifically at the two currently most popular varieties, we see below the main features.

The Fs-17 – as reported by Fontanazza – was born as a clonal rootstock of olive (Olea europaea), a variety of low vigor with tendentially pendulous bearing and rather long, fruit-bearing sprigs, often loaded with bunches of drupes. It is suitable for the exploitation of media plants (450/500 plants / ha) and high density (1,000-1.100 plants / ha) ».
Fs-17 stands out for its high propensity to spread by cuttings, the rapid growth in the field with the beginning of fructification already in the second year of planting and the rapid evolution of production increase at optimal regime from the fourth to the sixth year of planting. From its milling it is obtained an extra virgin olive oil characterized by a medium intense fruity, with spicy that prevails over the bitter and notes of cut grass, fresh tomato and, slightly, of artichoke. (Terra e Vita, 13 September 2018) The Minerva olive tree, in addition to its important resistance characteristic, has a series of aspects above average: resistance to cold, production of larger olives (30/40% more than the Leccino normal) and therefore larger quantities, better oil quality. (vivaisonnoli.it) Last important note is that in the coming months will be tested the resistance levels of the Diana and Tosca types, olive trees belonging to the Vivai Attilio Sonnoli, hoping that this time again this variety of varieties suitable for the Salento replanting.
The Apulian olive growers therefore have a series of varieties, which gives them the hope of creating a new, more efficient and modern olive growing and our company will always be at their side to restart the sector, always pursuing the path of scientific research.

Vito Spinelli

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