Oleaster Trees Research Articles

Sustainable green synthesis of ZnFe2O4@ZnO nanocomposite using Oleaster tree bark methanolic extract for photocatalytic degradation of aqueous humic acid in the presence of UVc irradiation

Abstract One of the most important humic substances in water is humic acid. These substances enter water sources through soils, sediments of aquatic animals, plants and sewage. Therefore, removing them from water sources is very important. In this study, the photocatalytic removal of humic acid was investigated using zinc ferrite nanoparticles loaded with zinc oxide (ZnFe2O4@ZnO). This research was conducted in an experimental-interventional way in a batch reactor on a laboratory scale. A novel and facile method was applied for catalyst synthesis in different conditions, and it was structurally and morphologically characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, DLS and EDS mapping techniques. The effects of pH (3–11), nanoparticle dose (0.005–0.1 g/L), and humic acid concentration (2–15 mg/L) were examined up to 120 min of time. The results showed that the efficiency of humic acid degradation by ZnFe2O4@ZnO reached 95% in optimal conditions. Also, it was found that this nanocomposite has an acceptable reusability and recovery after being tested in five stages.

Recovery and genotyping ancient Sicilian monumental olive trees

The long-lived and evergreen olive tree dominates the Mediterranean landscape, representing an agroecological and cultural symbol and a genetic heritage of inestimable value. Sicily, for historical, geographical, and cultural reasons, has a very rich and distinctive olive germplasm. In this work, a large survey was conducted to discover, collect, and characterize the genetic diversity of centennial monumental olive trees from historical sites, such as the Greek Temple Valley (Agrigento), ancient gardens, or farmland present in the western part of the island. Trees were chosen based on their height, trunk, stump size, and presumed age; particularly, only olive trees with an age estimated at more than 400 years old were taken into consideration. For the morphological characterization, the leaf, fruit, and endocarp traits were analyzed. For the molecular characterization, 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers largely used for fingerprinting analysis were used. Reference cultivars were included in the analysis for comparison. Nuclear DNA was extracted from different parts of the plant (young leaves of shoots taken from the canopy and young leaves taken from suckers, which arose from the basal part of the tree) to check if the trees were grafted and to explore their diversity. Most of the monumental trees have been grafted at least one time during their long life, and some genotypes showed unique genetic profiles combined with peculiar phenotypic traits. Suckers (rootstock of the trees) showed a strict genetic relationship with an ancient monumental oleaster tree, also included in the study. “Patriarch” (original mother plants) trees of local cultivars were also identified. This research revealed a high level of the still unexplored genetic diversity of the Sicilian olive germplasm and highlighted its importance as a gene reservoir, which could support new breeding programs for the evaluation and possible selection of traits linked to putative resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses (particularly Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca ST53 or soil- borne diseases or insects). The results will be useful for improving the conservation process, enriching existing collections of olive genetic resources, and supporting on-farm conservation projects.

Biosynthesis of MnFe2O4@TiO2 magnetic nanocomposite using oleaster tree bark for efficient photocatalytic degradation of humic acid in aqueous solutions.

The presence of humic acid compounds in water resources, as one of the precursors of Trihalomethanes and Holoacetic acids, causes health problems for many communities. The aim of this research study was to investigate the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of humic acid using MnFe2O4@TiO2 nanoparticles which produced by green synthesis method. The synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plant extracts and the study of their catalytic performance is a relatively new topic. Many chemical techniques have been proposed for the synthesis of MnFe2O4@TiO2 nanoparticles, but green synthesis has received much attention due to its availability, simplicity, and non-toxicity. The properties of synthesized nanoparticles were determined by SEM, FT-IR, XRD, EDS, and DLS analysis. The results of the study showed that under optimal experimental conditions (pH = 3, nanocomposite dose = 0.03g/L, humic acid initial concentration = 2mg/L, and contact time = 20min), it is possible to achieve maximum degradation of humic acid. Therefore; MnFe2O4@TiO2 nanoparticles have high efficiency for removing of humic acid from aqueous solutions under UV light.

Current Status of Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation of Wild Olive (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea var. sylvestris).

Oleaster (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea var. sylvestris) is the ancestor of cultivated olive (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea var. europaea) and it is spread through the whole Mediterranean Basin, showing an overlapping distribution with cultivated olive trees. Climate change and new emerging diseases are expected to severely affect the cultivations of olive in the future. Oleaster presents a higher genetic variability compared to the cultivated olive and some wild trees were found adapted to particularly harsh conditions; therefore, the role of oleaster in the future of olive cultivation may be crucial. Despite the great potential, only recently the need to deeply characterize and adequately preserve the wild olive resources drew the attention of researchers. In this review, we summarized the most important morphological and genetic studies performed on oleaster trees collected in different countries of the Mediterranean Basin. Moreover, we reviewed the strategies introduced so far to preserve and manage the oleaster germplasm collections, giving a future perspective on their role in facing the future agricultural challenges posed by climatic changes and new emerging diseases.

Effects of Woody Compost and Biochar Amendments on Biochemical Properties of the Wind Erosion Afflicted a Calcareous and Alkaline Sandy Clay Loam Soil

ABSTRACT Calcareous and sandy soils generally have soil fertility problems, and these problems have been revealed to be improved by applying compost and biochar produced from the distinct biomass. However, comparing the effects of compost and biochar originating from the same biomass on soil fertility are still not clearly explained. The comparing impacts of compost and biochar both made from the same biomass on soil fertility status in a wind erosion afflicted calcareous and alkaline sandy clay loam (SCL) soil, were explored using a pot experiment. Compost and biochar were produced from a pioneering Oleaster (Oleaster Angustifolia L.) tree through the windrow composting method and pyrolysis process at 450 °C, respectively. The SCL soil used was treated with compost and biochar at rates of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 4% by weight and thereafter incubated for 2 months. The trial layout was in line with a completely randomized plot design with four replicates. Pursuant to the experimental results, the addition of compost and biochar considerably enriched soil fertility by enhancing soil biochemical properties of SCL soil. SCL soil treated with compost yielded the highest available phosphorous (AP), organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), NH4 +-N, NO3-N, active carbon (AC), potential mineralizable nitrogen (PMN), soil microbial respiration (SMR), electrical conductivity (EC), CaCO3, extractable cations (Mg, K, Ca, and Na), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and available micronutrients (Mn, Fe, and Zn), which were significantly higher (P < .001) than the SCL soil amended with biochar, suggesting the recalcitrance of biochar on microbial activities. Furthermore, available micronutrients (Mn, Fe, and Zn) were significantly decreased in SCL soil amended with biochar compared with compost amended SCL soil, indicating the sorption potential of biochar. It was concluded that applying Oleaster tree compost is more effective than biochar in improving soil fertility. However, the effects of biochar on carbon sequestration and the findings of this study need to be proven under field demonstration for more conclusive results prior to recommending farmers to apply either compost or biochar in soil management practices.

Effects of compost and biochar amendments on soil fertility and crop growth in a calcareous soil

Crop performance in calcareous and alkaline soils is often limited by low nutrient availability and uptake following poor soil fertility. The positive agronomic effects of compost and biochar originated from a distinct biomass on soil fertility, nutrients uptake and crop growth were previously reported in a wide range of different soil types. However, a little is surfaced about the contrasting effects of compost and biochar produced from the same biomass on soil fertility, nutrients uptake and crop growth in the calcareous and alkaline soils. A greenhouse experiment was carried out with an eye of contrasting the effects of compost and biochar made from the same pioneering Oleaster (Oleaster angustifolia L.) tree on improving these limiting factors for crop performance found in the calcareous and alkaline soils. The calcareous and alkaline soil used was either untreated (control) or treated with compost and biochar at a rate of 1, 2 and 4% w/w. The experimental layout was laid in line with completely randomized plot design in quadruplicate. Across the experiment, compost significantly (p < 0.05) exhibited the striking impacts on soil fertility, nutrients uptake and maize growth than biochar treatments. To put the effects of compost and biochar into perspectives, compost exhibited the highest rally in soil fertility through enriching pH, electrical conductivity (EC), extractable cations (Ca, Mg, K and Na), available micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn), available phosphorous (P), NO3-N, NH4-N, total nitrogen (TN) and organic matter (OM), nutrients uptake via enhancing the uptake of total nitrogen, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu, as well as maize growth via improving leaf chlorophyll content (LCC), plant height (PH), stem girth (SG), aboveground fresh biomass (APFB), aboveground plant dry biomass (APDB), fresh root biomass (FRB) and dry root biomass (DRB) than biochar amendments due to most likely sorption effects of biochar and its recalcitrance to microbial activities. Overall, soil fertility and crop performance increased in the order control < biochar < compost. Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that compost can be suggested under such type of soils for improving soil fertility and crop performance at the expenses of biochar applications, nonetheless, field demonstration is highly essential for more conclusive results prior to recommending either compost or biochar in soil management practices.

The chemical and morphological properties of oleaster

This study investigated the morphological characteristics and chemical properties of the wood and the chemical properties of the bark of the oleaster ( Elaeagnus angustifolia) tree, which grows in a variety of climatic conditions in different regions of Turkey. The study materials were taken from three different regions of Turkey having different climatic conditions and elevations with the aim to determine the chemical properties of the bark and wood and the fiber properties of the wood. According to chemical analyses, no significant differences in the core components of the cell wall were observed between the heartwood and the sapwood. The samples collected from the Cankiri region had the highest holocellulose content (84,9%), while the proportions of alpha cellulose (52,3%) and lignin (24,0%) in samples taken from the Balikesir region were found to be higher than in samples from the other regions. According to the sugar analysis, glucose and xylose were found to be higher in the heartwood than in the sapwood. When the sugar ratios were evaluated by region, the glucose and xylose ratios were the highest in the Cankiri region (43,7% and 22,8%) and the lowest in the Konya region (38,3% and 20,5%). When looking at the inner bark (phloem) and outer bark (rhylidome) rates, the amounts of holocellulose and alpha cellulose were higher in the inner bark and the lignin rates were higher in the outer bark. The wood solubility values for cold and hot water, ethyl alcohol and the 1% NaOH were highest in samples from the Cankiri region and lowest in those from the Konya region, whereas bark solubility rates were highest in the samples taken from the Balikesir region. When morphological characteristics were examined, no obvious differences were seen among the regions in terms of the fiber length, fiber width, lumen diameter or double wall thickness. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the oleaster tree wood was suitable for papermaking, but that the produced paper would exhibit a low resistance value because the average felting rate among the three growing regions was low (39,87%)

An olive branch for sequencing

Plant Genomics Olives are a major component of the Mediterranean diet, especially consumed as olive oil, which may provide health benefits. Unver et al. investigated the composition of the genome of the oleaster (wild olive) tree, the ancestor of cultivated olive trees, and characterized its transcriptome. Evolutionary analyses indicate that the oleaster genome contains multiple signatures of ancestral genome duplication events (paleopolyploidy) after divergence from its close relative, sesame, another oil-producing plant. Comparison of genes in the oil-biosynthetic pathways of oleaster and sesame revealed differences in gene expression resulting from the genome and gene duplications. These differences appear to explain the occurrence of oleic acid in olive and linoleic acid in sesame. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 10.1073/pnas.1708621114 (2017).

Detection and characterization of a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’-related strain associated with Elaeagnus angustifolia proliferation in Iran

Oleaster trees exhibiting proliferation symptoms, were observed in gardens of Qazvin, East Azerbaijan and Isfahan provinces, Iran. Since the symptoms were suggestive of phytoplasma presence, samples were tested by PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene sequences using phytoplasma universal primers P1/P7 in direct PCR, and R16F2n/R16R2 in nested PCR assays. This resulted in the amplification of a DNA fragment of the expected size (1, 250 bp) in all the symptomatic plants. The nested PCR products were sequenced and BLAST analysis comparison showed the highest identity (99%) with phytoplasma strains enclosed in the 16SrII group, phylogenetic analysis confirmed that oleaster proliferation phytoplasma is a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’-related strain. This is the first report of a 16SrII group phytoplasma in oleaster in Iran.

Effects of ammonium salts on oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

Oleaster (Russian olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia) trees are highly tolerant against a variety of abiotic stresses (water, temperature, salt, and other chemicals). Therefore, they can be used for rehabilitation of contaminated and/or low quality soils (brownfields, dump sites, wastelands, etc.). In order to study responses of oleaster to environmental stress in vivo and in vitro, we successfully sterilized and initiated its callus cultures, regenerated shoots and roots and finally whole plants from the callus. Application of ammonium (in the form of sulfate salt) to the regenerated plantlets at concentrations higher than 10 mg L-1 inhibited root growth, reduced the leaf chlorophyll content and the activity of the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase. At the same time, it induced activities of the stress marker enzyme glutathione S-transferase in the root and shoot tissues of the plant.

Genetic and environmental features for oil composition in olive varieties

Consumption of olive oil helps both prevent and cure heart disease. Olive oils vary in their fatty acid profiles as well as those of other secondary metabolites (phenols, sterols, and terpene compounds). We seek to distinguish the genetic bases from the environmental factors that cause these variations. The genetic base is indeed wide: varieties originate in different domestication occurrences, from different oleaster trees and in differing climatic regimes. With the aid of diagrams, we set out briefly the oil synthesis pathway for fruits in comparison with that of seeds, and the specific aspects of olive oil in particular. Varieties of olive have appeared that are adapted to regions with harsh conditions where the oleaster could not thrive. Environmental stresses have consequences on drupes and their oil profiles; these have been highlighted in European countries through the use of appellations. Whilst stresses tend to enhance the quality of the end product, they do however decrease final yields with potential negative impacts on olive growers’ incomes. Irrigation experiments are underway in order to determine the optimal amount of watering. In breeding new varieties, the result sought is that of accumulating pest tolerances and fruit-quality characteristics; selection programmes are however expensive as they necessitate observations over many years. Consumers have choice across a range of appellations with different organoleptic specificities at different prices, and whatever the appellation of the oil they can expect a positive effect on their health.

Genetic diversity and relationships of wild and cultivated olives in Turkey

In the present study, we proposed to determine the genetic diversity and relationships between local cultivars and wild olive trees from three important olive-growing regions, i.e., Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean, of Turkey. This is the first known large-scale molecular study to investigate the relationships between local cultivars and wild olives from the eastern Mediterranean basin. Two hundred and four oleaster trees and 27 cultivars were sampled to represent molecular diversity. We used 11 simple sequence repeat and 13 sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers to assess genetic variations and inter-relationships among the samples. The results of the analysis showed differences in the levels of allelic composition and heterozygosity between cultivated and wild olive trees. The observation of a high proportion of a certain wild-type genetic background in the cultivars may indicate the former use of local wild trees in olive domestication in Turkey, a possible autochthonal origin of cultivars. “Gemlik” was found to be the most common olive cultivar in the Marmara region and most of the wild olive samples from this region may be feral forms derived from cultivar seed spreading. The information obtained from this study can help to assist the management of an olive collection and sheds some light on the origin of Turkish olive cultivars.

A new species of &lt;em&gt;Tenuipalpus&lt;/em&gt; Donnadieu (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from Iran

Tenuipalpus zahirii Khanjani &amp; Seeman sp. nov., collected from leaves of hawthorn trees, Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Rosaceae), and oleaster trees, Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Elaeagnaceae), is illustrated and described from Simin, Hamedan Province, Iran. This species is the first member of the Tenuipalpus proteae species group from Iran. A key to all known Iranian species is provided.

Mycorrhizal status of &lt;i&gt;Olea europaea&lt;/i&gt; spp. oleaster in Morocco

Objective: This study describes the mycorrhizal oleaster status (Olea europaea ssp. oleaster:) in the Moroccan ecosystems. Methodology and results: Soil samples were extracted from the rhizosphere of the oleaster tree groves in several regions of Morocco. The frequency and the levels of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inside the root bark were measured by assigning an index of mycorrhization from 0 to 5 (Derkowska et al., 2008). The results showed that the AM fungal colonization structures were hyphae, coils and vesicles. The mycorrhizal frequency and intensity reached respectively 70 and 6% in the Bnifougass site. The highest spore density was in the order of 364 g soil spores/100 g and the genus Glomus was the dominant one. The tentative identification test of VAM (Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae) species, isolated from the rhizosphere of the oleaster trees, revealed the presence of five fungus species: Glomus intraradices, Glomus clarum, Glomus versiforme, Acaulospora colossica, Scutellospora heterogama. Conclusion: In all the studied sites the oleaster roots were Mycorrhized. These results open up many opportunities for the application of the controlled mycorrhization in the oleaster plants nurseries production Keywords: Morocco, oleaster, rhizosphere, endomycorrhizae.

Flowering in the wild olive (Olea europaea L.) tree (oleaster): Phenology, flower abnormalities and fruit set traits for breeding the olive

Although, the olive trees produce hermaphrodite flowers, abnormal flowers (flowers with absence or reduced stamens and flowers with absence of pistil) are frequently observed and may reduce fruit set. This study investigates the phenology evolution and the male and female abortion of the oleaster tree (or the wild olive tree) flowers (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea var. sylvestris ) from natural ecosystems represented in two Tunisian Parks. The female abortion was evaluated by the percentage of flowers lacking pistil, and male abortion by differential staining for the cytoplasm of pollen grain. Flower abortion was examined and compared for eight oleaster trees in two different natural sites. At the beginning of flowering (the last two weeks of April), the flower numbers ranged from 15 to 26 flowers per inflorescence. However, one month after blossoming, the fruit set ranged from 1 to 3 drupes per inflorescence. Thus, a significant decrease of flowers per inflorescence was observed on all trees. The percentage of flowers without stamens and flowers without pistil per inflorescence ranged from 5.7 to 38.8% and from 4.9 to 88.1%, respectively depending on the oleaster tree. Moreover, abnormal flowers had effect on fruits number per inflorescence. Indeed, the r 2 linear regression values were 0.89 and 0.83, respectively. Therefore, due to the similar flower abnormalities occurring for the olive trees, the transfer of a low rate of abnormal flowers to cultivated olive may improve the crop.

Genetic Relationships between Cultivated and Wild Olive Trees (Olea Europaea L. Var. Europaea and Var. Sylvestris) Based on Nuclear and Chloroplast SSR Markers

The olive is widely cropped in Tunisia where also oleaster trees thrive all around orchards and in natural sites. Little is known on the genetic relationships between the olive crop and oleaster trees in Tunisia. Fifty-two oleaster trees and fifteen cultivars were sampled from Tunisia. SSR genotyping was performed in polyacrylamide gels after fluorescent labeling. We used seven nuclear and two chloroplast SSR markers. AFC analyses showed close genetic relationships between cultivated and oleaster trees. Genetic relationships were also displayed in a dendrogram based on Unweighted Pair Group Method (UPGMA). Five clusters were defined mixing cultivar and oleaster trees suggesting close relationship between some cultivar and some oleaster trees. One oleaster is single in a cluster. The chlorotype SSR markers show probably three olive origins. Some cultivars have the CE chlorotype originates from the East of the Mediterranean basin, the CCK haplotype originates from Maghreb and the COM chlorotype originates from West Mediterranean. The cultivars were 1) introduced from the East; 2) selected in the West; 3) or selected in the North Africa region. The Tunisian oleaster trees carry eastern and western Mediterranean chlorotype CCK, COM and CE.

The origins of the domestication of the olive tree

The present diversity of the olive (crop) and oleaster (wild) tree was investigated with nuclear and cytoplasm markers. Patterns of diversity of the wild form inferred eleven ancestral populations in the East and the West of the Mediterranean basin. Patterns of diversity for cultivars are less clear, but we showed that cultivars admixed to nine groups that corresponded to oleaster ancestral populations. We inferred that nine domestication events took place in the olive, but these origins were blurred by gene flow from oleaster and by human displacements. These origins of domestication probably reflected different reasons and uses to domesticate the oleaster. To cite this article: C. Breton et al., C. R. Biologies 332 (2009).

Are olive cultivars distinguishable from oleaster trees based on morphology of drupes and pits, oil composition and microsatellite polymorphisms?

The study aims to determine which traits may help to differentiate cultivars and oleaster trees based on drupe and pit morphological traits, oil content and composition and nuclear DNA markers at seven SSR loci. We determined for one cultivar (Gerboui) the steady drupe, pit morphological and oil composition variation ranges in six different contrasted agro-systems. We then investigated 33 cultivars and 40 oleaster trees. PCA analysis on morphological traits was examined. Gas chromatography was used to determine fatty acid composition of 20 cultivars and 13 oleaster trees, and the Soxhlet method was used to determine fruit oil content. SSR genotyping was performed in poly-acry- lamide gels. Five clusters based on UPGMA mixed olive cultivars and oleaster trees suggesting kinship relationships between some cultivars and some oleasters; and thus cultivars could derive from domestication of oleaster trees.

Oleaster (var. sylvestris) and subsp. cuspidata are suitable genetic resources for improvement of the olive (Olea europaea subsp. europaea var. europaea)

The olive belongs to Olea, a complex genus and to a species with six subspecies. Subsp. europaea includes both the cultivated olive and the oleaster, the wild ancestor of the olive. Little is known on the phenotype of fruits from subsp. cuspidata. We aimed to compare europaea and cuspidata trees for oil content and composition and to verify whether natural hybrids may exist between the two subspecies. Specimens were from Kenya and putative natural hybrids between cuspidata and europaea were from Stellenbosch (South Africa). Cultivar and oleaster trees were sampled in France (continental and Corsica), Italy (Continental and Sardinia) and Tunisia. We have examined the fruit (drupe) structure between subsp. cuspidata and europaea and extracted oil from the pulp, seed and total drupe. Comparison for oil content was made between the cultivated olive and the oleaster and some cuspidata trees from Kenya. A few of cuspidata individuals from Botanical gardens do not enable phenotyping for oil content and composition. Oil composition analyses were performed for the main fatty acids to compare the three taxa. We used microsatellite markers at 11 loci to compute genetic distances between cuspidata, oleaster and cultivar trees and to reveal eventual hybrids. The SSR polymorphisms were huge between the two subspecies and they revealed that putative hybrids were true hybrids sampled around olive orchards. The whole comparison of oil content shows that olive cultivars display higher oil content than the subsp. cuspidata and that the oleaster trees are intermediate, whereas for oil composition of the drupe, cuspidata from Kenya shows less oleic acid than europaea. However, the cuspidata trees show seed oil composition similarities with the other two taxa. The discussion deals with possible reasons to explain the differences and of the possible uses of these taxa for breeding both the olive and brown olive.

Differences between native and introduced olive cultivars as revealed by morphology of drupes, oil composition and SSR polymorphisms: A case study in Tunisia

Olive cultivars are diversified but nothing is known on their origins and if they are local or introduced in any regions. The study aims to determine which traits may help to identify native from introduced cultivars and oleaster trees. We compared cultivars and oleasters from North Tunisia to determine their relationships based on morphological traits, oil composition and SSR genotyping at seven loci. We used those parameters to examine 32 cultivar trees from 17 denominations and 70 oleaster trees sampled. We used multivariate analysis, enabling to retain the best variables, to establish relationships among trees based on morphological and pomological parameters. Gas chromatography was used to determine fatty acid composition of 30 cultivar trees and 13 oleaster trees. We determined for one cultivar Gerboui the steady drupe, pit morphological and oil composition variation ranges in six different contrasted agro-systems. SSR genotyping was performed in polyacrylamide gels after fluorescent labelling. Based on morphology, oleaster trees from agro-ecosystems clustered broadly in an intermediate position between cultivars and oleasters from natural ecosystems. SSR revealed that the feral and genuine oleasters plus cultivars are always overlapping. Relationships between cultivars are displayed in two dendrograms. They revealed six and three main clusters based on Unweighted Pair Group Method (UPGMA) and Ward algorithm, respectively. They mix olive cultivar and oleaster trees suggesting kinship relationships between some cultivar and some oleaster trees. In contrast, on PCA, some morphological parameters split our sample approximately between olive and oleaster trees. Oil composition was similar between cultivar and oleaster trees. Kinship relationships between cultivar and oleaster trees based on molecular polymorphisms suggested that olive cultivars may have origin in local oleasters. Oil composition as fruit descriptors and drupe size appeared inefficient to discriminate between olive and oleaster trees, in comparison to SSR. Our results suggested several domestication events for the olive. It is important to know which cultivars have local origin to promote and sale products from Tunisia as from all around the Mediterranean basin.