Population Genetics of Wild Olives in Aegean Region of Türkiye and Their Relationship with Cultivated Varieties

The olive tree is regarded as one of the most economically important trees in the Mediterranean region and is grown in nearly every country surrounding the basin. Its fruit has long been utilized as a source of nourishment and oil. Exploring the genetic structure of natural wild olive populations, which possess numerous important genetic traits in their gene pools, such as yield, quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress factors, is critically significant. The data from these studies can also offer valuable insights into the genetic diversity of olive genetic resources and enhance our comprehension of the long history of olive tree domestication. This study examined the genetic composition of wild olive populations and their connections to local cultivars using RAPD markers. For this aim, 84 wild olive individuals collected from the primary olive-growing areas of the Aegean region in Türkiye, along with most popular 8 varieties of olives. A comparatively elevated level of genetic variability was detected among wild olive populations. A UPGMA tree was generated from pairwise genetic distance matrix data, demonstrated the genetic divergence between the oleasters and cultivated varieties. The insights obtained from this study enhance our understanding of Turkish olive germplasm and provide information about the genetic connections between wild and locally cultivated olives.