Tropes

ScienceDaily_2013 12690.txt

#Sahara olive tree: Genetic heritage to be preservedthe Saharan cousin of Mediterranean olive trees remains largely unknown. However this subspecies (called the Laperinne's olive tree) is of great interest for several reasons. IRD researchers and their partners showed that its longevity is ensured by its original vegetative reproduction. Extremely drought-resistant this relict tree could act as a genetic resource to improve its domestic counterparts provided conservation actions are implemented to prevent its disappearance. The most resistant of all olive treescontrary to its cultivated counterpart the Laperrine's olive tree did not choose the mildness of the Mediterranean climate. It grows in the middle of the Sahara desert at an altitude of between 1400 and 2800m spanning southern Algeria Niger and northern Sudan. In order to survive in this inhospitable environment over the past several million years it had to adapt to extremely arid conditions. In order to preserve this exceptional genetic heritage over the course of time it developed an unusual reproductive strategy. As researchers have demonstrated in a recent synthetic study it reproduces through vegetative or clonal growth. A genetic resource for cultivated plantsa symbol of Saharan mountain ecosystems the Laperrine's olive tree is a source of wood for local populations. Its leaves are valued also a resource to feed animals and are used as a traditional pharmacopoeia. Scientists also underline its agronomic benefits. Indeed it can be crossed with cultivated olive trees to improve various properties such as the drought-resistance of the latter. Thanks to molecular analyses biologists discovered that such crossing has already been carried out previously confirming the possibility of hybridizing the two subspecies. An endangered treedeveloping a conservation niche like the Laperrine's olive tree is not a risk-free process. Today it pays the price of its isolation and genetic protectionism. The limited gene flow among populations and its vegetative reproduction method resulted in less genetic mixing over long periods of time. Under current climatic conditions the number of trees also tends to decrease. This combination of factors leads to the gradual erosion of the genetic diversity which lowers the ability of the Laperrine's olive tree to adapt to environmental changes and means this subspecies is endangered potentially in the long term. This research into the ecology and evolutionary history of the Laperrine's olive tree helps to better identify the danger facing this tree--endemic to the Sahara desert --and to establish the priorities for conservation programmes. Story Source: The above story is provided based on materials by Institut de Recherche pour le D veloppement (IRD. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. Journal Reference e

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