Researchers have indicated that certain wild plants have specific features that could make them more suitable for cultivation by humans compared to other species.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have indicated that certain wild plants have specific features that could make them more suitable for cultivation by humans compared to other species.
The research team, studying how domesticated plants came to be, believes that recognizing key genetic and physical characteristics can offer significant insights into developing future crops that can withstand climate change.
They propose examining today’s wild or underutilized plants to address upcoming challenges in creating varieties that can cope with increasing global temperatures and erratic weather patterns.
Domesticated plants are those that have been adapted over millennia for human purposes from their wild ancestors. Approximately 12,000 years ago, human hunter-gatherers began cultivating various plant species for a more stable food supply. By selecting and replanting seeds from the best-performing plants season after season, humans gradually bred stronger crops that yielded more, but not all wild species were domesticated; many were left behind.
The researchers of this recent study, published in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution, contend that certain latent qualities in some wild plants made them more amenable to domestication. Their research delves into existing literature and evidence to explore the reasons why a small fraction of wild plants became domesticated and how contemporary cultivated varieties are genetically distinct from both their ancestors and current wild relatives.
Professor Mark Chapman, the study’s lead author from the University of Southampton, notes, “There are tens of thousands of edible plant species, yet only a few hundred have been domesticated, with a mere 15 species accounting for 90 percent of our caloric intake.”
“Many wild plants were gathered by humans during the Neolithic era but were later dismissed as food sources. We are investigating which genetic or physical characteristics influenced or inhibited the domestication of these wild plants.”
The research team, which also includes experts from the universities of Oxford, Sheffield, and the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, pinpointed three primary factors that influence a plant’s suitability for human cultivation:
- Plasticity — how well a plant adapts to its surroundings. Plants that can rapidly and readily adjust to shifting conditions and exhibit traits favored by humans are more likely to have been cultivated.
- Genetic structure — simpler is better. If few genes govern beneficial traits for humans, modifying the plant’s physical characteristics through evolution becomes easier.
- Mutation rate — a rapid mutation rate increases the likelihood of variations. Plants that mutate quickly can undergo the trial and error needed to create larger seeds or tastier fruits more swiftly.
The researchers emphasize that comprehending the intricate and interconnected elements that allow certain plant species to thrive as domesticated crops can shed light on which wild crops might adapt well to the future challenges posed by climate change.
“When plants were first domesticated millennia ago, humans were only aware of the climate and weather conditions they faced at that time,” Professor Chapman explains. “Now, with advanced climate modeling, we can foresee how our planet will warm and how weather patterns will evolve in the coming decades. This permits us to consider how our future crops will have to be resilient.”
The researchers conclude that current wild plants, underused crops in local communities, or partially domesticated species may possess crucial, advantageous traits that can be harnessed through selection and precision breeding. They anticipate that their findings will aid future efforts to adapt plant species, ultimately enhancing food security amid an evolving climate.
