ARAUCO
Country: Argentina
Purpose: Dual-purpose (table and oil)
Synonyms: “Criolla”; “Olivo viejo”.
Distribution: 1 continent
Americhe
An extra-Mediterranean fit in hot, dry environments
In the Americas, Arauco is documented as a well-rooted variety mainly in South America and, in particular, in Argentina, where olive growing is tied to hot, dry territories. In this context, the variety is described as likely derived from the selection of seedlings introduced from Spain and later adapted to local conditions, helping to shape extra-Mediterranean olive landscapes that are not marginal.
Its territorial rooting can also be read through its productive traits: it is indicated as a dual-purpose variety (table and oil), appreciated for overall quality, with fruit of good size and colour and a high flesh-to-pit ratio. Productivity is reported as high but alternating; flowering is mid-season, as is the onset of bearing, and self-compatibility is described as partial.
From a use and orchard-management perspective, the fruit shows high resistance to detachment and good flesh firmness, with easy separation from the pit—features that support different preparation methods. The tree is vigorous, but it is reported as sensitive to cold and to several diseases (including verticillium wilt, olive knot, and olive leprosy). On the other hand, it is noted for a particular tolerance to dry, saline soils and soils rich in active lime, which helps explain its performance in specific American soil-and-climate contexts.
Agronomic and commercial considerations: This variety was probably obtained from the selection of olive seedlings that were introduced in Argentina from Spain. It is a variety that adapts well to warm-arid environments. It has become widespread due to its excellent production quality (fruit size and color) as well as high ratio between the pulp and the seed. It is partially self-fertile and its flowering time is medium as well as its entry into production. Its pollen has a high germination capacity. Productivity is high although it is alternating. Fruits have a high resistance to detachment and, since it has a high consistency of the pulp, it can be used in different methods of preparation, as it is characterized by an easy detachment of the pulp from the seed. It is a vigorous variety but sensitive to cold temperatures and to numerous diseases such as the verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahlia), the olive knot (Pseudomonas savastanoi), and the olive anthracnose (Gleosporium olivarum). However, it is tolerant to arid, saline and chalky soils.