CHEMLALI
Country: Tunisia
Purpose: Oil
Distribution: north-east, central coast, south and extreme south of Tunisia, covering approximately 60% of the olive-growing area
Synonyms: “Beldi”, “Chaibi”, “Tounsia”, “Zaiati”
Agronomic and commercial considerations: Cultivar of very ancient origin. It makes up the forest of ‘Sfax’, an area characterised by an average rainfall of 200 mm with variations ranging from 80 to 350 mm depending on the year. It is the most important and most represented variety in the country. The plant is very vigorous and highly rustic. The entry into production is late. It is self-compatible and of high productivity and alternate. The fruit ripens late, arranged in compact, sometimes numerous, clusters. The oil yield is medium-high, and it is very characteristic both chemically and organoleptically. Resistant to drought and moderately tolerant to salinity. It is sensitive to olive knot (Pseudomonas savastanoi).
