Zard Download sheet Fruit Denomination and synonyms I. Trujillo, D. Barranco, P. Morello Zard-Zeitoon Zard-Zeitoon Origin and diffusion Zard is the most widespread olive cultivar in Iran with a high and alternate productivity with around 44,000 ha of cultivated area. It has high oil content (20-25%) that leads Cultivators tend to cultivate this variety because of its high productivity and due to being a dual-purpose crop. This variety is the most cultivated (45%) in northern area of Iran such as Guilan, Zanjan, Qazvin and Sefid-rud river basin. Jahangir Arab Purpose Oil Table olives Morphological characterisation Tree Vigour Medium Growth habit Upright Canopy density Medium Fruit Weight High Radio length/width in position A Moderately elongated Over colour at full maturity Dark violet Symmetry in position A Weakly asymmetric Shape of apex in position A Rounded Nipple Absent or weak Shape of base in position A Rounded Leaf Length Medium Width Medium Radio length/width Moderately elongated Curvature of longitudinal axis Straight Stone Radio length/width Slighty elongated Weight High Shape of apex in position A Acute Symmetry in position A Symmetric Symmetry in position B Symmetric Shape of base in position A Rounded Number of grooves on basal end Between 7 and 10 Distribution of grooves on basal end Evenly distributed Mucron Present Rugosity of surface Medium Molecular characterisation (SSRs) UDO-43 DCA3 DCA9 DCA16 GAPU-101 175/175 229/232 170/186 177/177 193/217 Agronomic characterisation and commercial considerations It has high oil content (20-25%) and high oleic acid ratio (about 78%) that leads Cultivators tend to cultivate this variety because of its high productivity and due to being a dual-purpose crop. This variety is tolerant towards cold and wind, while it is susceptible to the verticillium. The time of harvesting is intermediate. It is self-incompatible and its best pollinizers are ‘Leccino’, ‘Bladi’, ‘Mari’ and ‘Rowghani’ varieties. It is moderately tolerant to drought and cold and it has a high rooting ability in the green house misting system, but it has some difficulties in its rooting ability through tissue culturing. Jahangir Arab