OLIVAR-R Operational Group: Selection and valorization of resilient local olive varieties in Aragon for the differentiated production of oil and table olives with territorial identity

The project activities are structured around four fundamental lines of action:

1. Genetic prospecting and identification: An exhaustive search is being carried out in 200 Aragonese municipalities to locate unique specimens, documenting their geolocation, morphological characteristics, and ethnographic context through surveys of landowners. CITA performs DNA extractions and analyses with molecular markers to identify new genotypes and establish synonymies, comparing them with the World Germplasm Bank.
2. Propagation and trials: The selected varieties are propagated vegetatively by cuttings in a nursery to ensure their future availability. Subsequently, trials are established at an experimental farm in Caspe to evaluate their yield potential, agronomic performance, and adaptation to the arid dryland climate, forming a core collection of unique varieties.
3. Transformation and valorization: The suitability of olives for table use is analyzed through various curing protocols (brine, lye, wrinkled) and microbiological stability studies. Simultaneously, single-varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) are classified through experimental extractions and physicochemical and sensory analyses to define unique organoleptic profiles.
4. Dissemination and knowledge transfer: Communication activities are carried out through a specialized website, social media, and informational materials. The plan includes technical workshops, scientific publications, and the organization of public olive and olive oil tastings to promote the regional identity of these products.