Large-scale whole-genome resequencing unravels the domestication history of Cannabis sativa

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg2286
• Publication Date: 2021-07-16T19:05:13Z
• Authors: Guangpeng Ren; Xu Zhang; Ying Li; Kate Ridout; Martha L. Serrano...; Yongzhi Yang; Ai Liu; Gudasalamani Ravi...; Muhammad Ali Nawaz; Abdul Samad Mumtaz; Nicolas Salamin; Luca Fumagalli
• Keywords: Cannabis sativa

Cannabis sativa has long been an important source of fiber extracted from hemp and both medicinal recreational drugs based on cannabinoid compounds. Here, we investigated its poorly known domestication history using whole-genome resequencing 110 accessions worldwide origins. We show that C. was first domesticated in early Neolithic times East Asia all current drug cultivars diverged ancestral gene pool currently represented by feral plants landraces China. identified candidate genes associated with traits differentiating cultivars, including branching pattern cellulose/lignin biosynthesis. also found evidence for loss function involved the synthesis two major biochemically competing cannabinoids during selection increased production or psychoactive properties. Our results provide a unique global view offer valuable genomic resources ongoing functional molecular breeding research.