Arauco
Country: Argentina
Purpose: Dual-purpose (table and oil)
Distribution: Mainly spread in La Rioja and Catamarca provinces.
Synonyms: “Criolla”; “Olivo viejo”.
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.
