Review
2011
Lavee, Shimon | Zohary, Daniel
This study analyses the variability and sources of diversity within the <i>Olea europaea</i> L. The highest distribution of wild and cultivated olives is around the Mediterranean basin. Various subspecies have been identified morphologically, and more recently through molecular markers, among both wild and cultivated olives. Domestication of the olive was probably initiated in the eastern regions of Mediterranean basin, but selections for domestic use were performed independently at various locations. Based on the molecular analysis, a considerable mixture of the genomes of both wild and domesticated olive types occurred. Starting thousands of years ago a dispersion of olives took place, mainly in the old world. Many olive stands developed isolated from other olive types, and as a result are based on multiplication and crossovers of the original genome. These isolated geographical populations are presently referred to as different <i>Olea europaea</i> subspecies. Over multiple generations, these isolated populations developed resistance to specific adverse biotic and abiotic environmental conditions. The potential and significance of using these geographically isolated olive subspecies in olive breeding programs for the future industry is discussed.
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