Genetic and phenotypic evidence suggest the existence of indigenous olive population of wild var. sylvestris in the Carmel coast, southern Levant

Heidelberg

2024

13 S.

Sonderdruck

13376S

40005194

Integrating the results of genetic and phenotypic analyses we provide crucial evidence of the presence of a genuine var. sylvestris population in the southern Levant, in close geographical proximity to archaeological sites with the earliest evidence of olive exploitation in the ancient world. We supplement the results with recommendations for a conservation program that combines municipal requirements and the urgent need to preserve the largest population of var. sylvestris in the southern Levant.Keywords: Conservation, Genetic variation, Morphometry, Oil quality, Olea europaea subsp. europaea var. sylvestris, Spatial structure