Olive trees in Umbria are very important for farming, but they are also very important in a more hydrological, landscape and cultural point of view.
In the past, (13th century) in Spello, Trevi and especially in Campello sul Clitunno, due to the cultivars with gradients, were built several dry stone walls to hold the soil around the trees and they contributed to create a peculiar and charming landscape.
Campello sul Clitunno is also well known for its Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The town is one of the most important when it comes to quality extra virgin olive oil, thanks to a peculiar micro-climate and the characteristics of the soil.
The cultivar MORAIOLO has been the predominant variety in this area for many centuries. It contributes, next to the cold continental climate (that almost prevents the damages from the olive fly), the characteristics of the soil e the farming technics (without using agrochemicals), on giving the oil high quality levels.
MORAIOLO
Origin: Italy
Diffusion: Central Italy,
Umbria.
Use: for oil
Agronomic consideration:
plant characterized by a high “rusticity” ideal for hills areas. It presents some difficulties on healing cuts from pruning. The root growth is high. It starts the production in early season. As reported in literature the cultivar Moraiolo isn’t self pollinating unlike other plants such as Maurino, Pendolino, Morchiaio, Lazzero, Razzio, Maremmano, Americano, Rosino, Mignolo. Blossoming occurs on intermediate period. Ovarian abortion don’t exceed 20% and the flowers present a high production of pollen.
Maturation is gradual. Productivity is high and constant. Fruits are often clustered. The content in oil is high and appreciated for the characteristic “fruity” taste and for the contents of “squalene” and polyphenols. Moraiolo can suffer from olive trees diseases such as “cicloconio”, “rogna”, “gufaggine”, “carie”. It bears soil with low humidity level and sea winds. Of this cultivar have been identified many ecotypes.
FRANTOIO
Origine: Italy
Diffusion: Central Italy
and several olive growing Regions.
Use: for oil
Agronomic consideration:
“gentle” variety with high and constant productivity. It is appreciated for its adaptation ability.
There are several ecotype similar to this cultivar. The growth and development of the roots is high. It enters into production and blooming in early season and the flowers present a low percentage of ovarian abortion. The cultivar Frantoio is self pollinating and it improves the production with the suitable pollinators.
Fruits have a late maturation. The contents of the oil is medium. In Tuscany this cultivar is appreciated for the production of an oil particularly fruity and stable in time. It is sensible to some olive trees diseases such as:“cicloconi”, “rogna”, “mosca dell’olio” and “fresso”.
LECCINO
Origin: Italy
Diffusion: Tuscany and Umbria.
Use: for oil
Agronomic considerations:
it is a vigorous plant, easily adaptable to different olive growing areas.
The growth and development of the roots is high. It starts the production in early season.
The flowers have a low percentage of ovarian abortion. The cultivar Leccino is self pollinating and compatible with the suitable pollinators such as Moraiolo, Pendolino, Maurino, Frantoio, Morchiaio, Gremignolo di Boigheri, Piangente, Razzo, Trillo e Frantoio.
Productivity is high and constant. The fruits ripen in early season and simultaneously with a reduced resistance of detach. The oil contents is low. The detach of the pulp from the stone is easy.
This cultivar is particularly resistant to cold, and some olive trees diseases such as “occhio di pavone”, “carie” and “rogna”. However, it is quite sensible to the disease “fusaggine”.
Recently have been identified clones that tolerate low temperatures or that are suitable also for “table consumption” production.
