Third olive bank in Izmir, Turkey to help stem genetic erosion

Further safeguarding olive biodiversity by setting up the world’s third olive germplasm bank – in Izmir, Turkey – was at the top of the agenda for a meeting at the International Olive Council’s Madrid headquarters on April 13. The creation of a collection at sufficient distance from the existing ones in Marrakesh, Morocco, and Córdoba, Spain, is seen as prudent to help ensure plant survival in the event of loss, such as due to natural catastrophes and disease.