Shiying Yu

Author    Correspondence author
Cotton Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol. 15, No.   
Received: 01 Jan., 1970    Accepted: 01 Jan., 1970    Published: 27 Jun., 2024

The domestication of Gossypium species represents a remarkable example of parallel domestication in diverse ecological zones. This study synthesizes current knowledge on the evolutionary history, genetic diversity, and domestication processes of both diploid and allotetraploid cotton species. Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense, the two primary cultivated allotetraploid species, were independently domesticated in Mesoamerica and South America, respectively, and have undergone significant morphological transformations under human selection. Similarly, the diploid species Gossypium herbaceum and Gossypium arboreum were independently domesticated in the Old World, exhibiting unique evolutionary trajectories and genetic adaptations. Comparative genomic analyses reveal that domestication has led to extensive genetic bottlenecks, introgression, and selective sweeps, which have shaped the genomic architecture of these species. Furthermore, transcriptomic studies highlight the differential gene expression patterns associated with fiber development and stress responses in domesticated versus wild cotton. This review underscores the importance of integrating molecular genetics, phylogenetic analysis, and archaeological data to understand the complex processes underlying cotton domestication and provides a foundation for future cotton improvement efforts.