<p>Variedades de olivo tradicionales en el Alto Aragón: caracterización molecular, aceites monovarietales y árboles monumentales</p>

Abstract

The recovery of minority olive varieties helps to preserve genetic diversity and contributes to sustainable agricultural practices. The International Olive Council has recognised the importance of conserving olive genetic resources and the EU’s Horizon Europe programme has identified the preservation of crop diversity as a priority for sustainable food systems. In the article presented here, old olive groves in the province of Huesca, managed according to the traditional model, were sampled and analysed using molecular characterisation techniques (based on EST-SNPs markers). 29 new varieties were identified and deposited in the IFAPA’s World Olive Germplasm Bank. In the first step towards their valorisation, 8 monovarietal
oils of the Alto Aragón varieties were produced and characterised, and their organoleptic properties were evaluated, paving the way for the production of oils of differentiated quality. In addition, centennial olive trees were selected and 3D scanned to promote their protection as singular or monumental trees and for oleotourism purposes. The findings highlight the rich olive heritage of this northernmost frontier of olive cultivation in Spain.