Meixia Zhu

School of Landscape and Ecological Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, 056038, Hebei, China
Author    Correspondence author
Cotton Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 3   
Received: 15 Feb., 2024    Accepted: 19 Apr., 2024    Published: 04 May, 2024

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.

This study employs RAPD-PCR technology to explore the genetic diversity, relationships, and evolutionary trends among four Gossypium species: Gossypium hirsutum L., Gossypium barbadense L., Gossypium herbaceum L., Gossypium arboreum L. A comprehensive analysis of 21 cotton samples using 14 RAPD primers revealed significant genetic polymorphisms, generating a detailed phylogenetic map. Key findings indicate substantial genetic divergence between species, particularly between Gossypium hirsutum L. and Gossypium barbadense L., which align with the limited allele sharing observed, suggesting sporadic gene flow. The evolutionary analysis supports that both allopolyploid formation and subsequent independent divergence played pivotal roles in cotton evolution, with distinct ancestry lines for the A-genomes within Gossypium. The phylogenetic relationships established from this study provide essential insights into the complexity of cotton genomics and offer valuable genetic information for breeding programs aiming to improve fiber quality and yield. This research not only deepens our understanding of the genetic architecture and evolutionary pathways of cotton but also highlights the adaptability of cotton species to diverse ecological environments, crucial for addressing future agricultural challenges.

Gossypium; Phylogeny; Genetic distance; RAPD-PCR; Cotton evolution; Allopolyploidy