Olive Tree in the Genomic Era: Focus on Plant Architecture

For centuries olive tree is an important crop in many Mediterranean countries because it provides appreciated oil with healthy properties. Th e lack of genomic tools, such as molecular markers or sequence information, has hindered the development of new cultivars adapted to the challenges that this species faces due to the change in modern cultivation practices, such as the increase in the number of trees per hectare. Th is tree has an excessive vigour that can be a serious economic limitation for intensive or super-intensive orchards. Th ese and other issues have been recently addressed by a number of scientifi c eff orts. Th is review will give a broad view over the recent genomic developments in olive tree, and the plant architecture as a complex trait.