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Insights on the evolution of a vegetatively propagated crop species
Author(s) -
OLSEN KENNETH M.,
SCHAAL BARBARA A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2007.03359.x
Subject(s) - biology , sexual reproduction , crop , gene flow , introgression , manihot , reproduction , cutting , agriculture , vegetative reproduction , euphorbiaceae , botany , agronomy , ecology , genetic variation , gene , genetics
The opportunity for gene flow between a vegetatively propagated crop and its wild relatives is expected to be much lower than for seed‐propagated crops, since sexual reproduction in the crop occurs only infrequently. A study by Duputié and colleagues now demonstrates evidence of sexual reproduction between a vegetatively propagated crop and a closely related wild congener. Working in French Guiana, these workers have documented a hybrid zone arising from introgression between cassava ( Manihot esculenta ssp. esculenta , Euphorbiaceae), which is propagated by stem cuttings, and wild Manihot populations growing in close proximity. Patterns of heterozygosity suggest that there are little–to–no barriers to reproduction between the crop and these wild populations. Previous work by these researchers has documented the importance of occasional sexual reproduction for the development of cassava varieties in traditional Amerindian farming systems. Taken together with their previous work, these new findings suggest that gene flow between wild Manihot populations and cassava plants could potentially play a much greater role in the crop's evolution than previously thought.