Confronting stresses affecting olive cultivation from the holobiont perspective

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Microbiology
• Agronomy

Background:

• The holobiont concept highlights the importance of plant-associated microbiomes for host plant development and resilience.
• Olive cultivation, vital to the Mediterranean, is undergoing changes that may alter its resilience to stresses.
• Limited information exists on how abiotic and biotic pressures affect the olive holobiont and its microbiome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing knowledge on stress factors affecting olive cultivation.
• To compile information on the microbiota associated with different olive tissues and organs.
• To provide a holistic perspective on how stress impacts the olive holobiont's microbial communities.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of stress factors in olive cultivation.
• Compilation of data on olive-associated microbiota across various tissues.
• Analysis of existing evidence to identify knowledge gaps and propose future research directions.

Main Results:

• Diverse stressing factors can disturb the structure, composition, and interactions of olive-associated microbial communities.
• Incomplete information exists regarding the specific features of the olive microbiome in relation to host traits.
• Knowledge gaps highlight the need for multilevel research approaches.

Conclusions:

• A holistic methodology and the holobiont framework are crucial for future olive research.
• Understanding the olive holobiont can lead to tools for enhancing olive health, productivity, and resilience.
• This knowledge can inform sustainable agronomic practices and breeding strategies for evolving environmental challenges.