Recent developments in olive (Olea europaea L.) genetics and genomics: applications in taxonomy, varietal identification, traceability and breeding

Abstract

The latest results in DNA markers application and genomic studies in olive. Olive (Olea europaea L.) is among the most ancient tree crops worldwide and the source of oil beneficial for human health. Despite this, few data on olive genetics are available in comparison with other cultivated plant species. Molecular information is mainly linked to molecular markers and their application to the study of DNA variation in the Olea europaea complex. In terms of genomic research, efforts have been made in sequencing, heralding the era of olive genomic. The present paper represents an update of a previous review work published in this journal in 2011. The review is again mainly focused on DNA markers, whose application still constitutes a relevant percentage of the most recently published researches. Since the olive genomic era has recently started, the latest results in this field are also being discussed.

Keywords: Functional Genomics; Germplasm; Molecular Markers; Olive Genome; Olive Oil.