Quercus suber L. Genetic Resources: Variability and Strategies for Its Conservation

Abstract

Quercus suber L. is an evergreen cork oak tree that can produce cork, one of the most important valuable natural bioresources in Portugal, with a high impact for the bioeconomy. Given its socio-economic relevance and the upcoming biotic and abiotic threats cork oak faces, it is of extreme importance that genetic conservation of its genetic variability occurs so that cork oaks can adapt to new conditions. This work represents a review of the current knowledge on Quercus suber genetic resources, focusing on the existing genetic variability and the strategies for its conservation. Furthermore, we highlight genetic knowledge on tolerance and response to abiotic and biotic stresses and cork quality, which are useful for further studies on stress response pathways and mechanisms and improvement regarding stress tolerance.