Plant domestication articles from across Nature Portfolio

Plant domestication is the process whereby wild plants have been evolved into crop plants through artificial selection. This usually involves an early hybridization event followed by selective breeding.

Latest Research and Reviews

Research
29 May 2023 | Open Access

The COG1-OsSERL2 complex senses cold to trigger signaling network for chilling tolerance in japonica rice

Improvement of chilling tolerance is a key strategy in rice production. Here the authors report that the QTL gene COG1 confers chilling tolerance in japonica rice. COG1 interacts and activates OsSERL2 to transmit the cold signal for chilling defense.
- Changxuan Xia
- , Guohua Liang
- & Yunyuan Xu
Nature Communications 14, 3104
Research
27 May 2023 | Open Access

Genomic variation in the genus Beta based on 656 sequenced beet genomes
- Sabine Felkel
- , Juliane C. Dohm
- & Heinz Himmelbauer
Scientific Reports 13, 8654
Research
06 April 2023 | Open Access

Floral scent of the Mediterranean fig tree: significant inter-varietal difference but strong conservation of the signal responsible for pollinator attraction
- Li Cao
- , Younes Hmimsa
- & Magali Proffit
Scientific Reports 13, 5642
Research
05 April 2023 | Open Access

Selection and adaptive introgression guided the complex evolutionary history of the European common bean

Common bean has two distinct domestication centers in Mesoamerica and in the Andes. The authors show that the Andean is the first gene pool successfully introduced in Europe and identify signature of pervasive introgression among gene pools and of selection for flowering underlying adaptation.
- Elisa Bellucci
- , Andrea Benazzo
- & Roberto Papa
Nature Communications 14, 1908
Research | 30 March 2023

A complete gap-free diploid genome in Saccharum complex and the genomic footprints of evolution in the highly polyploid Saccharum genus

The sugarcane relative, Erianthus rufipilus, is one of the rare diploid species within the Saccharum complex. Its gap-free genome reveals centromere diversification, epigenetics of a palaeo-duplicated chromosome and evolution of Saccharum.
- Tianyou Wang
- , Baiyu Wang
- & Jisen Zhang
Nature Plants 9, 554-571
Research
03 February 2023 | Open Access

Differentially expression analyses in fruit of cultivated and wild species of grape and peach
- Weijian Huang
- , Meng Li
- & Shaoling Zhang
Scientific Reports 13, 1997

All Research & Reviews

News and Comment

Editorial | 21 March 2023

Flourish with the wild

The wild relatives of our modern crops are of inestimable importance. Their domestication promoted the rise of civilizations and shaped cultures, and they are treasure troves for maintaining food security. However, shrinkage of their populations worldwide demands better conservation to retain their valuable biodiversity.

Nature Plants 9, 373-374
Comments & Opinion | 15 December 2022

The re-emergence of Liberica coffee as a major crop plant

The failure of Liberica coffee as a global crop plant by the turn of the twentieth century was due to a number of factors, including the inappropriate selection of material for global dissemination. Renewed interest in this species, particularly in the excelsa variant, is evident across the coffee supply chain. In a warming world, and in an era beset with supply chain disruption, Liberica coffee could re-emerge as a major crop plant.
- Aaron P. Davis
- , Catherine Kiwuka
- & James Kalema
Nature Plants 8, 1322-1328
News & Views | 12 December 2022

Compact plants enhance productivity

The long and trailing vines of most cucurbits represent an undomesticated trait that hampers dense planting and yields, and also incurs a high labour cost. A targeted artificial evolution strategy was developed to suppress stem elongation of cucurbits in a dose-dependent manner, thereby enhancing yield and reducing labour costs.
- Nai-Qian Dong
- & Hong-Xuan Lin
Nature Plants 8, 1335-1336
Research Highlights | 31 March 2022

Genetic convergence under human selection
- Jun Lyu
Nature Plants 8, 319
Comments & Opinion
04 March 2022 | Open Access

Breeding future crops to feed the world through de novo domestication

By the end of this century, a 50% increase in agricultural productivity is required to feed the world. Recent studies have demonstrated de novo domestication of wild plants as a new crop breeding strategy to meet future food challenges.
- Hong Yu
- & Jiayang Li
Nature Communications 13, 1171
Research Highlights | 10 February 2022

Two domestication routes intersect
- Jun Lyu
Nature Plants 8, 96

All News & Comment

Plant domestication articles from across Nature Portfolio

Latest Research and Reviews

The COG1-OsSERL2 complex senses cold to trigger signaling network for chilling tolerance in japonica rice

Genomic variation in the genus Beta based on 656 sequenced beet genomes

Floral scent of the Mediterranean fig tree: significant inter-varietal difference but strong conservation of the signal responsible for pollinator attraction

Selection and adaptive introgression guided the complex evolutionary history of the European common bean

A complete gap-free diploid genome in Saccharum complex and the genomic footprints of evolution in the highly polyploid Saccharum genus

Differentially expression analyses in fruit of cultivated and wild species of grape and peach

News and Comment

Flourish with the wild

The re-emergence of Liberica coffee as a major crop plant

Compact plants enhance productivity

Genetic convergence under human selection

Breeding future crops to feed the world through de novo domestication

Two domestication routes intersect

Search

Quick links