The Lechin olive tree from Seville, is one of the most widespread olive varieties in Andalusia, mainly in Seville, Córdoba and Cádiz, having grown to more than 100,000 hectares of crops, thanks to its high resistance to drought and adaptation to limestone soils.
However, it is not well adapted to mechanized harvesting ( Trunk Shakers, olive harvesters…). And for this reason, the variety has seen its cultivation area substantially reduced to around 50,000 ha.
Although the variety is currently in decline, it is possible that the quality and exclusivity of its olive oil help curb the situation.
Names or synonyms: the Lechin olive tree from Seville is also known by: Zorzaleño, Lechino, Ecijano and Lechin.
Characteristics of the Lechin Olive Tree in Seville
Currently, the olive trees of the Lechin variety in Seville are being grafted or replaced by varieties more favorable for mechanized harvesting, such as Picual Olive Tree.
Productivity: the Lechin de Sevilla olive variety is entering medium production and has high productivity.
Regularity of bearing: the Lechin de Sevilla olive is a vecera.
Flowering: the Lechin de Sevilla olive variety is self-compatible, although it has low germination capacity and medium flowering.
Vigor and habit of the tree: Lechin de Sevilla has high vigor, open habit and a high-density crown.
Leaf: the Zorzaleño olive tree class has elliptic-lanceolate shaped leaves, medium length and width.
Diseases: the Lechin de Sevilla olive variety stands out for its rusticity, adapting well to cold and unfavorable terrain. It supports drought and limestone soils well. It is also resistant to fly and olive peacock spot, although it is moderately sensitive to olive knot.
Multiplication: the Lechin olive plant from Seville has a good rooting capacity. Characteristic that facilitates its multiplication in olive tree nurseries.
Lechin olive from Seville, morphological characteristics
The Lechin de Sevilla olive is used both for black seasoning and for the production of oil.
Ripening: the Lechin de Sevilla olive variety ripens early.
Size: the fruit of the Lechin de Sevilla variety is medium in size.
Shape: the Lechin olive from Seville is slightly asymmetrical, elliptical and with a pointed apex.
Skin color: when ripe, the Lechin de Sevilla olive reaches a black- purplecolor. It has many abundant and small lenticels.
Pulp: thanks to its high pulp/stone ratio, Lechin de Sevilla is suitable for the production of table olives.
Yield: the Zorzaleño olive tree has a medium fat yield.
Harvesting: the Lechin olive variety from Seville has very high resistance to shedding. The small size of the olives during the years of loading and the high resistance to detachment make the harvesting of the olives very difficult.
Due to the high harvest costs, the variety has reduced its olive grove area considerably in recent decades.
Uses: It is used both for the production of olive oil and for black dressing. Lechin de Sevilla olive oil is highly appreciated by consumers, it is protected by the Protected Designations of Origin Antequera em>, Estepa, Sierra de Cádiz and Montoro-Adamuz.
Advantages: very rustic olive variety, it produces excellent quality olive oil.
Disadvantages: difficult to harvest.
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We have translated the information on our website from Spanish to English. Please note that some words may have had their meaning altered during translation.