Periodic Reporting for period 2 - GEN4OLIVE (Mobilization of Olive GenRes through pre-breeding activities to face the future challenges and development of an intelligent interface to ensure a friendly information availability for end users)
Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-09-30
GEN4OLIVE project seeks to leverage olive Genetic Resources (GenRes) by bringing them closer to breeders and farmers. The olive industry is one of the most critical sectors in the Mediterranean Basin and European agriculture, with major social and economic repercussions.
Recent reports stress the rising problems related to biodiversity loss and genetic erosion of crops, which subsequently cause problems related to agricultural sustainability and food security. These challenges have also affected the olive sector. Furthermore, emerging diseases and climate change threaten olive growing on a daily basis, whereas the genetic resources that are the key to solving these problems remain largely unexplored. The solution to this situation lies in genetic resources. However, a shared endeavour is needed to effectively characterize them, integrate results, and make them available to farmers, breeders and other relevant stakeholders.
The overall goals of GEN4OLIVE are to expedite the mobilization of olive GenRes and to foster pre-breeding activities by:
(1) Developing collective pre-breeding activities to characterize in-depth more than 500 olive varieties and hundreds of wild and ancient genotypes worldwide around four main topics:
• Climate change resilience.
• Pest and disease resilience varieties.
• High production and high-quality varieties
• Adapting to modern planting systems.
(2) Developing an innovative and user-friendly interface to make genetic resources accessible for the end user.
(3) Building two mobile apps implementing Image Analysis and Machine Learning so as to detect olive diseases and identify olive varieties effortlessly.
(4) Engaging the private sector in innovation through two open calls to facilitate SMEs' pre-breeding activities.
GEN4OLIVE project encompasses a consortium of 16 partners from seven countries providing the genetic material to be explored and exploited. Additionally, it is directly supported by the International Olive Council (IOC).
Recent reports stress the rising problems related to biodiversity loss and genetic erosion of crops, which subsequently cause problems related to agricultural sustainability and food security. These challenges have also affected the olive sector. Furthermore, emerging diseases and climate change threaten olive growing on a daily basis, whereas the genetic resources that are the key to solving these problems remain largely unexplored. The solution to this situation lies in genetic resources. However, a shared endeavour is needed to effectively characterize them, integrate results, and make them available to farmers, breeders and other relevant stakeholders.
The overall goals of GEN4OLIVE are to expedite the mobilization of olive GenRes and to foster pre-breeding activities by:
(1) Developing collective pre-breeding activities to characterize in-depth more than 500 olive varieties and hundreds of wild and ancient genotypes worldwide around four main topics:
• Climate change resilience.
• Pest and disease resilience varieties.
• High production and high-quality varieties
• Adapting to modern planting systems.
(2) Developing an innovative and user-friendly interface to make genetic resources accessible for the end user.
(3) Building two mobile apps implementing Image Analysis and Machine Learning so as to detect olive diseases and identify olive varieties effortlessly.
(4) Engaging the private sector in innovation through two open calls to facilitate SMEs' pre-breeding activities.
GEN4OLIVE project encompasses a consortium of 16 partners from seven countries providing the genetic material to be explored and exploited. Additionally, it is directly supported by the International Olive Council (IOC).
During the second reporting period, GEN4OLIVE made notable progress in the proposed work packages and tasks. Partners identified critical areas of wild Oleas for diversity, conservation and breeding purposes. Extensive sampling of wild olives in different regions provided material for genetic characterization, establishment of germplasm banks and phenotypic analysis. In addition, numerous ancient olive trees were located and characterized in several Mediterranean countries.
The five olive germplasm banks involved in the project significantly advanced in characterizing about 500 olive cultivars over two growing seasons. Assessments of phenology, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, productivity traits and oil quality were carried out. These evaluations have revealed an unprecedented diversity within cultivated olives, a critical factor for breeding. Similarly, untapped variability in oil compounds such as oleic acid and specific phenolics has been observed, with implications for olive oil health policy considerations.
The project also focused on studying the genotype-environment (G x E) interaction, particularly in cultivars shared by three or more germplasm banks. Preliminary results showed stability in certain traits, such as the oil fatty acid profile, while others displayed variability. In addition, advanced genomic approaches are being used to progress in the identification of biomarkers associated with resistance to Verticillium dahliae, Xylella fastidiosa and drought tolerance. Two miRNAs and several genes involved in the transition from juvenile to adult olive plants were validated as promising early selection markers to improve the efficiency of olive breeding.
At the same time, the project is finalizing the development of a user-friendly online database that will create an open catalog of cultivated and wild olive varieties. Substantial progress was also made in image analysis and machine learning applications to identify olive cultivars, pests, and diseases through mobile image processing.
GEN4OLIVE has engaged private companies in olive breeding through two cascade calls for projects, resulting in funding for eight projects in the first call and 17 in the second. Through co-creation, communication, and dissemination activities, GEN4OLIVE has raised awareness among researchers, olive farmers, and private companies about the significance of olive breeding. Overall, GEN4OLIVE's multifaceted efforts represent a comprehensive and impactful approach to advancing olive research, breeding, and sustainable agriculture.
The five olive germplasm banks involved in the project significantly advanced in characterizing about 500 olive cultivars over two growing seasons. Assessments of phenology, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, productivity traits and oil quality were carried out. These evaluations have revealed an unprecedented diversity within cultivated olives, a critical factor for breeding. Similarly, untapped variability in oil compounds such as oleic acid and specific phenolics has been observed, with implications for olive oil health policy considerations.
The project also focused on studying the genotype-environment (G x E) interaction, particularly in cultivars shared by three or more germplasm banks. Preliminary results showed stability in certain traits, such as the oil fatty acid profile, while others displayed variability. In addition, advanced genomic approaches are being used to progress in the identification of biomarkers associated with resistance to Verticillium dahliae, Xylella fastidiosa and drought tolerance. Two miRNAs and several genes involved in the transition from juvenile to adult olive plants were validated as promising early selection markers to improve the efficiency of olive breeding.
At the same time, the project is finalizing the development of a user-friendly online database that will create an open catalog of cultivated and wild olive varieties. Substantial progress was also made in image analysis and machine learning applications to identify olive cultivars, pests, and diseases through mobile image processing.
GEN4OLIVE has engaged private companies in olive breeding through two cascade calls for projects, resulting in funding for eight projects in the first call and 17 in the second. Through co-creation, communication, and dissemination activities, GEN4OLIVE has raised awareness among researchers, olive farmers, and private companies about the significance of olive breeding. Overall, GEN4OLIVE's multifaceted efforts represent a comprehensive and impactful approach to advancing olive research, breeding, and sustainable agriculture.
GEN4OLIVE has brought together the leading olive germplasm banks, research groups, and public and private entities to disclose the agronomical value of olive germplasm, opening new avenues for breeding and olive genetic resources. GEN4OLIVE partners have developed effective protocols to evaluate olive genetic resources, increasing their breeding value and the efficiency of conservation strategies. Harmonising cultivar evaluation and authentication using GBS is paramount to provide a sound foundation for breeding and to increase the olive sector’s sustainability.
The project has characterized the phenology, productive traits, abiotic stress tolerance, pest and disease resistance and oil quality for over 500 olive cultivars during two growing seasons. GEN4OLIVE taps into the potential of many cultivars in the germplasm banks that could be crucial for breeding. Similarly, wild Oleas has been sampled throughout the Mediterranean Basin and characterized on an unprecedented scale. This material will serve as the foundation for seed and live germplasm collections, with a high breeding potential and ensuring the ex-situ conservation of wild Oleas.
This project is expected to directly impact the olive sector, improving the productivity, quality, and tolerance of olive varieties to biotic and abiotic stresses. Indirectly, it will mitigate genetic erosion and boost climate change resilience.
GEN4OLIVE is also applying genomics and transcriptomics to speed up the breeding process by focusing on three main avenues of action: (a) selecting markers linked to critical biotic and abiotic stresses, (b) identifying early selection markers for the short juvenile phase, and (c) improving forced growth conditions for increased effectiveness. New techniques will have a direct economic impact on the sector as they streamline the selection of the best new genotypes. In the framework of the project implementation, 34 deliverables have been submitted so far, mostly consisting of scientific results. Additionally, 24 scientific articles related to the project have been published in open access.
GEN4OLIVE has also significantly progressed towards digitalization. This includes a comprehensive catalogue of olive cultivars and machine learning-based applications to identify olive cultivars and pests and diseases using image analysis.
Companies from multiple countries have also engaged in characterising and valorising genetic resources following two open calls. These projects are an excellent incentive for the private sector to undertake research and innovation in olive growing. They will lead to new exploitation techniques involving olive genetic resources, compounded by the opening of new business lines.
GEN4OLIVE has marshalled the efforts of all the participants, creating auspicious synergies among the olive sector stakeholders.
The project has characterized the phenology, productive traits, abiotic stress tolerance, pest and disease resistance and oil quality for over 500 olive cultivars during two growing seasons. GEN4OLIVE taps into the potential of many cultivars in the germplasm banks that could be crucial for breeding. Similarly, wild Oleas has been sampled throughout the Mediterranean Basin and characterized on an unprecedented scale. This material will serve as the foundation for seed and live germplasm collections, with a high breeding potential and ensuring the ex-situ conservation of wild Oleas.
This project is expected to directly impact the olive sector, improving the productivity, quality, and tolerance of olive varieties to biotic and abiotic stresses. Indirectly, it will mitigate genetic erosion and boost climate change resilience.
GEN4OLIVE is also applying genomics and transcriptomics to speed up the breeding process by focusing on three main avenues of action: (a) selecting markers linked to critical biotic and abiotic stresses, (b) identifying early selection markers for the short juvenile phase, and (c) improving forced growth conditions for increased effectiveness. New techniques will have a direct economic impact on the sector as they streamline the selection of the best new genotypes. In the framework of the project implementation, 34 deliverables have been submitted so far, mostly consisting of scientific results. Additionally, 24 scientific articles related to the project have been published in open access.
GEN4OLIVE has also significantly progressed towards digitalization. This includes a comprehensive catalogue of olive cultivars and machine learning-based applications to identify olive cultivars and pests and diseases using image analysis.
Companies from multiple countries have also engaged in characterising and valorising genetic resources following two open calls. These projects are an excellent incentive for the private sector to undertake research and innovation in olive growing. They will lead to new exploitation techniques involving olive genetic resources, compounded by the opening of new business lines.
GEN4OLIVE has marshalled the efforts of all the participants, creating auspicious synergies among the olive sector stakeholders.