Menara

Denomination and synonyms

Origin and diffusion

Clonal selection of the Moroccan Picholine, it covers different olive growing areas of the country.

Purpose

Morphological characterisation

Molecular characterisation (SSRs)

Agronomic characterisation and commercial considerations

Menara is a direct selection of the Moroccan Picholine variety which is distributed to the in both irrigated and rainfed systems (Boulouha, 1992; 2002, Hadiddou et al., 2006).Menara, is characterized by a high yield (46.7 kg/tree), an average vigor in rainfed conditions and high in irrigated condition varying between 91 and 111 cm depending on the cropping system (Hadiddou et al., 2014), a reduced alternation attributed to a competition for assimilas during bud differentiation, inflorescence growth, fruit set, fruit growth and vegetative growth as well as a very high rhizogenic capacity of 70%, a late and slightly early harvest compared to Haouzia, and a resistance to spilocae oleaginum (Tahiri et al, 2006).Regarding the quality criteria, the oil extracted from the Menara variety is characterized by a high content of total polyphenol (400 ppm) a fruity green medium to intense, balanced bitterness and spiciness with specific aromas such as green almond, grass and artichoke (El Antari et al 2022), it also represents a high level of oleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids, With a clear predominance of unsaturated fatty acids compared to saturated fatty acids (Essiari,2014).