They are lecciana e Holm oak of the Horn the two olive varieties on which the attention of researchers committed to finding further cultivars is strong resistant to Xylella. The news was made official at 35th Plant Medicine Forum, held in recent days in Bari. But, urged on the occasion, the professor. Donato Boscia (in the picture), head of the Institute for the sustainable protection of plants of the Cnr and point of reference for scientific research on Xylella, reiterated what was already anticipated at Olive News in recent weeks: “These are two varieties that could demonstrate possible resistance potential, but the trials have not yet been concluded. Therefore they cannot yet be considered resistant varieties."
Words marked by the proverbial prudence of the researcher, but it is natural that expectations grow among olive growers and the scientific world, all aware that only two resistant varieties today - Leccino and Fabulous – are not enough. As confirmed by the experience we had with Xylella which had an easy time against the two extremely sensitive varieties present in Salento such asSalento ogliarola , Cellina of Nardo.
La lecciana is the variety resulting from a genetic improvement developed by Agrimillora to the University of Bari (referent to prof. Salvatore Camposeo) having as parents Leccino and Arbosana. Suitable for super-intensive, it is of medium-low vigor and quickly enters into production.
Il Holm oak of the Horn, which owes its name to Corno farm in San Casciano Val di Pesa (Fi) where it was identified in 1929, it is one of the most widespread cultivars in Central-Northern Italy which has been assessed over time to also be particularly suitable for high-density olive growing.
Also emerged from the meeting two other elements of interest. First it was confirmed the minor advancement of Xylella (like the same Olive News had mentioned) determined by various factors: notable decrease in the vector, more correct agronomic practices thanks to the current regulations, less suitable climate for the insect as one moves up Puglia).
Secondly, the research project onidentification of spontaneous seedlings obtained through free pollination, present within the infected area allowed us to identify how non-symptomatic and negative seedlings at the first analyzes 139 different genotypes which, once subjected to further controls and pathogenicity tests, were further skimmed. The 4 genotypes obtained, for which the multiplication phase has been activated, will be tested in various test fields for characterization in relation to various climatic conditions.
Browse for free l'Olivo News click here
