International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 120-132 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 120 Feature Review Open Access Phylogenetic Insights into Cassava’s Domestication: Unraveling Genetic Origins and Evolutionary Trajectories Wenzhong Huang CRO Service Station, Sanya Tihitar SciTech Breeding Service Inc., Sanya, 572025, China Corresponding email: hitar@hitar.org International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2024, Vol.14, No.3 doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.14.0015 Received: 15 May, 2024 Accepted: 21 Jun., 2024 Published: 29 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Huang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Huang W.Z., 2024, Phylogenetic insights into cassava’s domestication: unraveling genetic origins and evolutionary trajectories, International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 14(3): 120-132 (doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.14.0015) Abstract This systematic review synthesizes current knowledge on the phylogenetic insights into cassava’s domestication, tracing its genetic origins, and evolutionary trajectories. Leveraging advanced genetic markers and DNA sequencing technologies, studies have traced cassava’s lineage back to its wild ancestor, M. esculenta ssp. flabellifolia, in the southern Amazon basin, revealing a history of singular domestication events followed by global dissemination. The review highlights the significant genetic diversity within cassava populations and elucidates how specific traits for drought resistance, yield enhancement, and pest resistance have been selected through domestication and breeding efforts. A special case study focusing on cassava's adaptation to arid climates provides unique insights into the genetic mechanisms conferring drought resistance. Furthermore, the review discusses the complexities and limitations in current phylogenetic research, and proposes future directions for research. This review aims to deepen our understanding of cassava domestication and better apply it to improve and maintain cassava cultivation for future generations. Keywords (Manihot esculenta Crantz); Cassava’s domestication; Phylogenetic analysis; Genetic origin; Evolutionary trajectory; Drought resistance; Agricultural sustainability Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), with its capacity to thrive in marginal soils and a variety of climates, stands as a cornerstone of global food security. This robust root crop is not only a primary source of carbohydrates for over half a billion people but also a staple in the diets of many in the tropics (Liu et al., 2011). Originating from the South American wild species, cassava was domesticated in the southwestern Amazon basin (Olsen and Schaal, 2001). It has since traversed continents, becoming a vital crop in Africa, Asia, and beyond, thanks to its adaptability and the ease with which it can be cultivated. The importance of phylogenetic studies cannot be overstated, as they shed light on the genetic diversity within cassava populations, elucidate evolutionary processes, and reveal patterns of domestication that are essential for the crop’s future development and adaptation (Fregene et al., 2003; Burns et al., 2010). Cassava’s ability to withstand drought and poor soil conditions makes it a vital crop for food security, especially in the face of climate change. The journey from a wild shrub to a global agricultural staple is rich with genetic and evolutionary intrigue, the exploration of which is the focal point of this review. The objectives are to delve into cassava’s genetic beginnings, understand its phylogenetic relationships, and trace the evolutionary trajectories that have contributed to its current domesticated state. This includes examining the progress made in cassava domestication, molecular breeding, genetic transformation and so on (Liu et al., 2011; Pen, 2014; Ozoegwu et al., 2017). This review intends to compile and synthesize recent genetic studies and phylogenetic insights to shed light on the complexities of cassava’s domestication. Through the lens of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, we can gain a deeper understanding of the crop’s history (Fregene et al., 2003). 1 Cassava’s Origin and Domestication 1.1 Geographical origin Cassava, a staple crop with significant economic importance, is believed to have been domesticated from wild M. esculenta populations along the southern border of the Amazon basin. Phylogeographic studies based on the
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