ABSTRACT
Environmental cues, such as biotic and abiotic stresses, are limiting factors for plants’ growth and development. In the current context of global change, the vulnerability of plant species to environmental stressors is increasing with the observed and predicted climate changes and anthropogenic pressures. Consequently, understanding plant responses to environmental stresses is a major concern. However, plant species have developed several adaptive mechanisms and strategies to tolerate or resist the stressful conditions found within their environment. In this chapter, we report the effects of different stressful conditions on the emblematic olive tree (Olea europaea L.). The reported responses to biotic and abiotic stressors show that the olive tree exhibits an important level of tolerance and several resistance mechanisms to maintain its physiological process and, therefore, to sustain its growth and development. This chapter provides interesting insights into the olive tree’s importance as a valuable genetic resource for future breeding programs, especially under the current global changes.
