Genomic Research and Biotechnologies for the Olive Tree: A Study Day at the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies with Leading Experts in the Field
The Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies hosted a Study Day dedicated to the latest advances in genomics and biotechnologies applied to the olive tree, organized by the Accademia dei Georgofili – Sezione Centro-Ovest and the Accademia Nazionale dell’Olivo e dell’Olio, in collaboration with the Institute of Plant Production of the Sant’Anna School and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the University of Pisa. The event was also sponsored by the Italian Society for Horticultural Science, which works to foster scientific and technical cooperation between the research community, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the sector.
The event brought together researchers leading scientific units and projects of national and international relevance, providing a comprehensive and detailed overview of the state of the art in omics sciences applied to the olive tree. During the presentations, new analytical approaches for identifying key genes, innovative tools for genome editing, and advanced strategies for varietal selection were illustrated, highlighting how these technologies can help improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience in contemporary olive cultivation.
The speakers also examined the main methodological challenges in the field, analyzing the critical issues and potential of different sequencing techniques, as well as the integration of genomic data with phenotypic and agronomic data. Particular attention was devoted to the implications for the supply chain, with examples of practical applications ranging from improving the quality of propagation materials to preventing emerging plant diseases.
The Study Day also represented an important opportunity for dialogue among the scientific community, nursery operators, producers, and institutional representatives, encouraging constructive discussion on the future directions of research and opportunities for technology transfer. The final discussions focused on possible synergies between research institutions, companies, and local stakeholders to promote innovative olive growing capable of addressing the challenges posed by climate change and global markets.
More than 100 participants attended the event, both in person and online, demonstrating the strong interest and growing attention toward the potential of genomics and biotechnologies as strategic tools for the evolution of the olive sector.
