The Role of Genetics and Environment in Plant Domestication

Researchers from the University of Southampton have identified specific traits in certain wild plant species that make them more suitable for cultivation, offering insights into developing climate-resilient crops.

By studying the origins of domesticated plants, the researchers aim to understand the genetic and physical characteristics that made some wild species more "primed" for domestication than others. These traits could provide valuable clues for breeding new crop varieties that can adapt to unpredictable weather and rising global temperatures.

Domesticated plants, which humans began cultivating around 12,000 years ago, were selected over generations for traits like robustness and higher yields. However, many wild species were left undomesticated. This study, published in Trends in Ecology and Evolution, highlights three key traits that influenced a plant's suitability for cultivation:

1. Plasticity: The ability to adapt quickly to environmental changes, making certain plants more compatible with human preferences.
2. Genetic Simplicity: A smaller number of genes controlling beneficial traits allows for easier selection and evolution of desirable characteristics.
3. High Mutation Rates: Faster mutation rates enable quicker development of traits like larger seeds or better flavors.

The study also explores why only a small fraction of the tens of thousands of edible plants were domesticated. It suggests that overlooked or partially domesticated plants may hold untapped potential for creating crops resilient to future climate conditions.

Advances in climate modeling now allow scientists to predict how weather patterns and temperatures will shift in the coming decades. This knowledge enables researchers to identify wild species with traits that can be enhanced through precision breeding, improving food security in a rapidly changing world.

The researchers hope their findings will inspire future efforts to adapt crops for the challenges posed by climate change, focusing on underutilized or wild plant species that could play a critical role in sustainable agriculture.