Large-scale whole-genome resequencing unveils the history of Cannabis sativa domestication
Large-scale study provides crucial details on the evolution and selection of the plant, challenging traditional categories
By Leandro Maia
In a significant advancement in understanding the genomic history of Cannabis sativa, researchers conducted a large-scale resequencing of the plant's complete genome, revealing crucial details about its domestication over millennia.
Cannabis sativa, one of the first plants domesticated by humanity, has a complex history intertwined with the economic, social, and cultural development of human societies. Initially used as a source of textiles, food, and oilseeds, its exploitation for these purposes declined in the 20th century, while recreational marijuana use expanded.
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The study, based on samples of 110 complete genomes of wild plants, local varieties, historical cultivars, and modern hybrids, had a particular focus on Central and Eastern Asia, a region considered a possible cradle of the species' domestication.
Genetic analyses revealed four distinct genetic groups of Cannabis, providing a comprehensive view of the plant's evolution and domestication. The research also addressed issues related to therapeutic use, highlighting differences in the chemical components of hemp and marijuana varieties.
The demographic history of Cannabis, revealed by estimates of effective population size over time, suggested strong influences of selection exerted during the domestication process, with a notable impact on fiber and drug production.
Brazilian Congress of Medicinal Cannabis
The main congress of Latin America of a scientific and professional nature, seeking to bring innovation and advances related to the medicinal use of cannabis.
The study identified candidate genes involved in the divergence between hemp and drug types after domestication, highlighting complex selection processes that shaped the plant over millennia. Additionally, the loss of function of genes related to cannabinoid synthesis during domestication was evidenced, questioning the current binary categorization of plants as "hemp" or "marijuana".
This large-scale resequencing provides an unprecedented view of the evolution and domestication of Cannabis sativa, shedding light on its genomic history and paving the way for future advances in the understanding and application of the plant.