Cv. Leccino is one of the major olive cultivars of Italy. It is also found in other olive growing countries and particularly in those with a relative newer industry. The cultivar is fruitful and in cooler regions with some horticultural interference the alternance in production is not strong. The trees enter into full production relatively early after planting.
Geographical
Distribution
The Leccino cultivar originates from central Italy. It is found however, in most olive growing regions in Italy but is also found on a significant scale in some other olive growing countries. In many of the new olive developing regions it is used as one of the major oil cultivars. Cv. Leccino can be found at a larger scale in cooler regions due to its relative high resistance to low temperatures. The trees are of medium size but need somewhat larger planting distances as they tend to widen (220-250 trees/ha). For good production the natural growth habit-vase-type is most suitable. Other growing forms are somewhat difficult to maintain without causing early tree decline.
Description
| Tree |
Medium in size and vigour. It is strongly affected by winds and tend to grow somewhat at an angle. It is important to open the tree at an early age to allow an easy wind flow through the canopy. The tree has a slight willowy nature. |
| Leaf |
Medium to large (6 cm long). They are oval-laniformic and symmetric. The upper surface has a dull green colour and the lower is grey-green. |
| Flower |
The inflorescence is of medium length with 17-24 flowers well distributed along the inflorescence. |
| Stone |
The stone is symmetric and small to medium in size (16-17%) elongated similar to the fruit, relatively smooth, rounded at the base and has often a small lignified tip at the distal end. |
| Fruit |
Small to medium in size (2.5 g). Its shape is elliptic rather symmetric with the widest diameter in the centre. The distal end is rounded and the skin smooth. At full ripening the fruit has a deep uniform. The fruit is usually in groups of 2-3. |
Agronomic Characteristics
The cv. Leccino is generally autosterile and pollinators are needed for achieving a good commercial yield. Cv. Pendolino is considered a good pollinator and to a limited degree also cv. Frantoio. No information about the pollination potential of other major cultivars is presently available. The tree is very sensitive to strong winds and tends to lean over with the prevailing wind in the orchard. Thus thinning pruning is advisable particularly for young trees.
The fruiting potential is high and the response to irrigation is good, causing a marked increase in yield while the reduction of oil content in the fruits at the optimal stage of maturation is relative small. The commercial oil content is about 17% under irrigated conditions and has a somewhat fruity flavour.
The cv. Leccino has a relatively high tolerance to low temperatures and high humidity. It is also partially resistant to the peacock spot disease but sensitive to scales and thus to Fumagin.
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