Legume Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 315-322 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 318 and evolutionary units within carob populations, which are crucial for informed breeding and conservation strategies (Di Guardo et al., 2019; Baumel et al., 2021). The use of genomic tools such as RADseq and SSR data has facilitated the identification of core collections and genetic pools, enabling targeted breeding interventions (Figure 1) (Shi and Lai, 2015). These genomic insights are instrumental in developing carob varieties with desired traits, such as improved pod quality and stress tolerance, thereby enhancing the species' industrial applications and ecological resilience (Lyzenga et al., 2021). Figure 1 Population genetic structure of the carob tree (Adopted from Baumel et al., 2021) Image caption: (a) Svdquartets tree of seven genetically and geographically homogeneous groups (CEUs) based on RADseq markers. Genetic admixture plots are based on four ancestral populations for SSR markers (1 019 genotypes, 17 loci) and on seven ancestral populations for RADseq markers (190 genotypes, 3 557 neutral unlinked SNPs). Within CEUs, genotypes were organized by habitats and according to their admixture coefficient (c=cultivated, s=seminatural and w=wild). (b) PCA scatterplots of RADseq genotypes (accumulated variance of the first four components = 15.2%). (c) Map of genetic admixture based on RADseq markers (Adopted from Baumel et al., 2021) 5 Case Study 5.1 Historical overview of carob in mediterranean agriculture The carob tree has a long history of cultivation in the Mediterranean region, dating back to antiquity. It was initially domesticated in the Middle East around 6 000~4 000 BC and subsequently spread across the Mediterranean basin through human activities, including trade and migration by Romans, Greeks, and Arabs (Baumel et al., 2021). The carob tree has been a staple in Mediterranean agriculture, primarily used for forage and food, and has adapted well to the region's thermophilous woodlands (Mahdad and Gaouar, 2023). The domestication process involved selecting wild genotypes and dispersing domesticated varieties, which led to a diverse genetic pool across the region. 5.2 Industrial applications in mediterranean economies In recent years, the carob tree has gained significant industrial importance beyond its traditional uses. Its seeds are a source of locust bean gum, a valuable thickening agent used in the food industry (Di Guardo et al., 2019). Despite a reduction in cultivated areas, the carob tree's resilience to drought and salinity makes it a promising crop for sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change (Gioxari et al., 2022). Additionally, carob's potential for carbon sequestration and its use in reforestation and soil restoration projects highlight its environmental benefits (Figure 2). 5.3 Lessons learned and broader implications The domestication and industrial utilization of the carob tree in the Mediterranean offer several lessons and broader implications. Firstly, the genetic diversity of carob populations underscores the importance of conserving
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