Whole genome scanning of a Mediterranean basin hotspot collection provides new insights into olive tree biodiversity and biology

• DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16270
• Publication Date: 2023-05-11T05:26:32Z
• Authors: Christos Bazakos; Konstantinos G. A...; Sebastián Ramos‐O...; Georgios Koubouris; Nikolaos Tourvas; Aliki Xanthopoulou; Ifigeneia Mellidou; Theodoros Moysiadis; Ioanna‐Theoni Vou...; Ioannis Metzidakis; Chrysi Sergentani; Ioanna Manolikaki; Michail Michailidis; Adamantia Pistikoudi; Alexios Polidoros; George Kostelenos; Filippos Aravanop...; Athanassios Molas...; Ioannis Ganopoulos
• Keywords: Mediterranean Basin; Biodiversity hotspot; Hotspot (geology)

Olive tree (Olea europaea L. subsp. var. europaea) is one of the most important species Mediterranean region and ancient domesticated. The availability whole genome assemblies annotations olive cultivars oleaster (O. sylvestris) has contributed to a better understanding genetic genomic differences between cultivars. However, compared other plant there still lack resources for populations that span entire region. In present study we developed complete variation map comprehensive catalog/resource molecular date 89 genotypes originating from basin, revealing diversity this commercially significant crop explaining divergence/similarity among different variants. Additionally, monumental 'Throuba Naxos' was studied characterize potential origin or routes domestication. Several candidate genes known be associated with key agronomic traits, including oil quality fruit yield, were uncovered by selective sweep scan under selection pressure on all chromosomes. To further exploit phenotypic obtained current work, genome-wide association analyses performed 23 morphological two traits. Significant associations detected eight traits provide valuable candidates breeding deeper biology.