Articles tagged with Crop Domestication
Researchers analyzed ancient vessels to find evidence of cacao DNA and methylxanthine components, revealing widespread use among pre-Colombian cultures. High diversity among ancient strains suggests cross-breeding to adapt to new environments.
A study found that weedy rice's promiscuity allows it to crossbreed with wild rice, enabling it to adapt and outcompete cultivated rice. This process, called adaptive introgression, has contributed to the evolution of Southeast Asian weedy rice.
New research reveals that domestication impacts the microbial communities associated with crops. The study found consistent effects on the plant microbiota across independently domesticated crop species in Mesoamerica and South America. Changes in seed mineral content were linked to changes in microbiome composition.
Researchers found evidence of domesticated yak dating back 2,500 years in the southern Tibetan Plateau, revealing insights into animal domestication pathways and human adaptation to high-altitude environments. The discovery was made using a combination of ancient DNA sequencing and zooarchaeological analysis.
A new study published in Science reveals that modern maize originated from a hybrid of two teosintes created around 5000 years ago in central Mexico. The hybridization event led to the spread of maize across the Americas and later worldwide, becoming one of the world's most important crops.
A pangenomic study of water caltrop has identified structural variations that contribute to its speciation and asymmetric subgenome evolution. The study found that gene clusters related to organ development, organic substance metabolism, and response to stimulus were differentially expressed between the two diploid species.
Researchers found that cold temperatures increase glucosinolate levels in some kale varieties, while others decrease it. This affects the nutritional value of the plant, with curly kale and Lacinato kale showing different responses to temperature.
Researchers found that certain combinations of gene mutations resulted in predictable effects on tomato size, while others yielded random outcomes. The study suggests the role of background mutations demands reassessment for genome editing applications. This new interpretation may help humanity adapt crops to meet evolving societal needs.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that pre-Columbian Caribbean cultures consumed a wide variety of plants, including sweet potato, chili peppers, and domesticated tomatoes. The analysis also detected tobacco and cotton, challenging the traditional staple food narrative.
Pre-contact agave species cultivated by early cultures like the Hohokam people continue to persist in Arizona's landscape. These domesticated agaves are distinct from their wild counterparts and offer a rare opportunity to study plant species unchanged since prehistory.
A genome study of over 600 carrot types finds that recessive genes controlling orange carotenoids are essential for the vegetable's orange color. The study also sheds light on carrot domestication in Western Asia and Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, respectively.
Researchers sequenced genomes of key cultivated and wild pepper species to identify genes associated with critical traits like fruit shape, flavor, and stress responses. The study provides valuable genomic resources for future functional studies and breeding efforts.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a potato super pangenome, capturing the genetic diversity of nearly 300 varieties and their wild relatives. This extensive collection aims to identify key genetic traits for breeding more resilient, nutritious and disease-free potatoes.
Researchers found evidence of separate domestication events for Asian rice in different areas, with wild rice species O. rufipogon and O. nivara contributing to the genetic pool. The study provides a new framework for understanding the evolutionary history of domesticated rice.
A research group at Kyoto University has successfully developed a self-fertile buckwheat variety and a new type of the crop with a sticky texture. This breakthrough could contribute to the efficient breeding of less-common orphan crops, addressing the world's growing food demands.
Scientists at the Boyce Thompson Institute have constructed a comprehensive 'super-pangenome' for watermelon and its wild relatives, uncovering beneficial genes lost during domestication. This genetic toolkit can be used to develop varieties with enhanced yield, increased disease resistance, and improved adaptability.
A KAUST-led team has compiled the first complete genome map of einkorn, an ancient grain that could help develop bread wheat varieties with enhanced disease resistance and improved hardiness. The study reveals a complex evolutionary history of wheat species, including gene flow between einkorn and wild cousins.
Genome analysis reveals that hulled and naked oat varieties were domesticated independently around 51,000 years ago. The study found higher genetic diversity in naked oat compared to hulled oat, contradicting the long-held assumption of a recent mutation.
A study by Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior found that American mink can regain almost full ancestral brain size within 50 generations after escaping captivity. This reverses the long-held assumption that domestication causes permanent brain size loss in animals.
The new gap-free PN_T2T genome has significantly improved contig N50 length and filled gaps, enabling better exploration of agronomic traits. The genome reveals key genes and gene clusters related to plant defense mechanisms, water stress response, and salt tolerance.
A new study sheds light on the genetic heritage of chickpeas by analyzing landrace genomics from over 400 specimens collected in the 1920s and 1930s. The research reveals that the spread of chickpeas within each region occurred predominantly along trade routes, rather than through simple diffusion.
Researchers have unlocked the large-scale genomic analysis of foxtail millet, an important cereal crop that has been grown for roughly 11,000 years. The study identified key genes and marker-panels for its evolution and improvement in different environments.
Despite years of research, few salt-tolerant crops have been released commercially. KAUST researchers argue that increasing crop salinity tolerance is essential due to climate change impacts. New genetic tools and approaches like grafting or domesticating wild species can help develop more resilient crops.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis suggest that ancient humans may have chosen certain wild plants for domestication based on their ability to be easily 'tamed'. Plants with high plasticity, or the capacity to respond to environmental changes, can produce more yields and easier-to-sprout seeds.
A genome-wide association study identified a new quantitative trait locus, STP1, encoding a Sugar Transporter Protein that alters soluble solid content. Knockout of STP1 led to decreased SSC in fruits, highlighting ZAT10-LIKE transcription factor's role in regulating sugar transporters.
A recent study on the genetic makeup of grapevine has revealed that it was domesticated around 11,000 years ago in the Near East (Israel) due to a harsh climate. The research team sequenced the genomes of 3525 grapevine accessions and found that the Israeli wild grapevine population is the source for the domestication of table grapes.
A new study by a Penn State-led research team found that the intensification of crop use led to changes in age-independent mortality rates in pre-colonial North America. The first stage of agricultural intensification coincided with lower age-independent mortality, while the second stage was associated with a rise in it.
A new study published in Current Biology elucidates 230 years of Caribbean history, identifying eight major genetic lineages of breadfruit and their connections to Oceania. The research highlights the crop's potential as a sustainable and climate-resilient option for food security and sovereignty.
In northern China, about 4,000 years ago, farmers adopted a practice of purposeful water management to grow new grains. The results showed that the majority of wheat samples had isotopic values above an optimal watering threshold, indicating their growth was not limited by water availability.
Researchers have developed perennial rice that allows farmers to plant once and harvest up to eight times, reducing labor and costs. The crop provides significant environmental benefits, including improved soil quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A study reveals that domesticated banana varieties contain traces of three unknown wild ancestors, which were likely hybrids between subspecies and may hold useful traits such as parthenocarpy. The researchers believe these 'mystery ancestors' might still be alive in the wild, particularly in regions including the Gulf of Thailand, Bor...
A team of Brazilian researchers has developed a novel technique using light and artificial intelligence to identify the maturity stages of soybean seeds. The method utilizes chlorophyll fluorescence and machine learning algorithms to classify commercial seeds with high accuracy. This innovation avoids destroying seeds, which are then c...
A study by the University of Göttingen and Malagasy universities found that vanilla plantations on fallow land have similar yields to those in forests while increasing biodiversity. This sustainable approach helps smallholder farmers secure their income, highlighting a win-win opportunity for both economy and conservation.
Researchers found that domesticated rye has smaller recombining regions, making it less resistant to climate change. In contrast, wild rye has a more diverse genetic makeup and can freely recombine its genetic material.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that camelina, an ancient oilseed crop, may have been more important and widespread than previously thought, with origins in the Caucasus region near present-day Armenia. The study's findings support breeding programs to improve this crop for biofuels applications, highlighting i...
Researchers discovered three gene mutations that, when combined, allow rice plants to retain more seeds, increasing crop yield. The study sheds light on the emergence of cultivated rice from wild rice plants and its potential applications in improving rice cultivation.
A reference genome for the wild relative of cultivated tomatoes has been developed to improve crop yields and disease resistance. Researchers have also created online tools to facilitate gene discovery and analysis.
Scientists have identified the DOMINANT AWN INHIBITOR (DAI) gene in sorghum, which regulates the absence and shortening of awns. The gene encodes a protein that negatively regulates awn formation as a transcription factor, with implications for breeding modern awnless cultivars.
Researchers uncovered intricate settlements in Bolivia's Llanos de Mojos savannah-forest, featuring elaborate structures and a vast network of reservoirs. The cities were built alongside nature, employing successful sustainable subsistence strategies that promoted conservationism and maintained rich biodiversity.
The newly published oat genome sequence provides insights into its health benefits and breeding potential. The hexaploid genome contains genes linked to human health and nutrition, supporting oat safety in gluten-free diets.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have identified a stem rust resistance gene in Aegilops sharonensis and transferred it to common wheat. The new transgenic wheat lines show high levels of resistance to the stem rust pathogen, providing hope for mitigating the devastating effects of climate change.
A new study by University of Warwick researchers finds that the adoption of cereal crops is the key factor in the emergence of complex hierarchies and states. Contrary to conventional theory, high land productivity does not lead to the development of tax-levying states.
Ancient artworks from Minoan civilization of ancient Greece depict domesticated saffron, suggesting cultivation around 1600 BCE. Genetic studies support this origin, placing the modern saffron crocus with its three genomes as a result of natural selection in Bronze Age Greece.
A recent study found that cover cropping can reduce the population of Pseudomonas syringae, a common bacterial pathogen affecting agricultural crops. The researchers also discovered an increase in beneficial microbes such as Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium, which have been used as biocontrol agents against pathogens.
Scientists develop a sensitive electrochemical detector using cerium oxide nanozyme to identify organophosphate pesticides in plants. The method provides an unprecedented wider linear range and a detection limit of 0.06 mmol/L, making it suitable for detecting trace amounts of pesticide residues.
Researchers confirm that Chevalier barley came from a single plant, analyzing seed samples older than 150 years. The study reveals how the single plant's genetic signature was preserved and used to create modern malting barley varieties.
A new study reveals the Maya had nearly 500 edible plants available to them, many of which are highly drought-resistant. This analysis debunks the assumption that drought led to the collapse of ancient Mayan civilization.
A groundbreaking study reveals early humans preferred to hunt the largest available animals to provide the greatest quantities of food. Over 1.5 million years, humans repeatedly overhunted large animals to extinction, and then shifted to smaller animals, improving their hunting technologies.
Scientists have measured the speed of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, a bacterium causing citrus greening disease. The bacteria can colonize a tree in around 80-100 days, faster than symptoms appear, making it difficult to control.
A new study by Graz University of Technology reveals that domesticated apple crops have inherited microbiomes similar to their wild ancestors, providing a basis for developing more resilient and healthy crops. The research also suggests that targeted introduction of microorganisms could increase plant resistance to climate change.
Researchers compared wild rice species to domesticated rice to understand differences in photosynthetic capabilities. They found that wild rice has faster photosynthetic induction but domesticated rice quickly closes its stomata, reducing water loss.
New research reveals Bronze Age farmers in China prioritized cattle for their diets, utilizing byproducts like millet stalks for feed. This approach differs from other regions, where cows were raised closer to human settlements.
Researchers from TUM discovered a toxin in the leafy vegetable Ebolo, which can cause liver damage. They successfully removed the toxin through breeding techniques, paving the way for safer consumption of this nutritious crop.
A new study has identified the genetic root of bitter taste in greens like broccoli rabe and bok choy. The research team reconstructed an evolutionary tree from DNA sequences analysis of over 400 Brassica rapa varieties, revealing that Central Asian turnips were the most genetically diverse crops.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have identified a gene, Rpg7, responsible for high stem rust resistance in wild barley from Jordan. This discovery could provide valuable insights into breeding programs to combat this devastating disease affecting global cereal crops.
Research reveals Scythian populations were diverse and complex, with some living sedentary lives farming millet and raising livestock, challenging traditional nomadic warrior image.
A new study found that early breeding efforts in sorghum decreased harmful mutations compared to their wild relatives, unlike maize. This unexpected result may inform future breeding efforts in both crops.
Three 2,000-year-old cobs from Honduras show that humans brought maize varieties back to Mesoamerica, sparking potential productivity increases and shaping civilization. This new study fills gaps in corn's history, revealing a more complex domestication story with parallel but differing speeds across regions.
Researchers discovered a surprising trove of wild sorghum relatives in Australia, offering potential solutions to combat drought and extreme heat. However, these economically important plants are in peril due to habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts.