Population genomics and phenotypic characterization to elucidate aspects of the origin, domestication and dispersal of annatto (Bixa orellana) and maize (Zea mays) in the lowlands of South America

Abstract

The processes of plant domestication and dispersal occurred over the past 12,000 years, involving strong selective pressures caused both by humans and by natural selection itself, leading to genetic modifications to better adapt selected populations to the ecological and agronomic conditions, and cultural aspects of human populations that cultivated them. By using tools of molecular genetics and population genomics, as well as phenotypic characterization, this project aims to: a) determine the center of domestication and understand the process of dispersal of annatto in Brazil, and also look at the reproductive system of its wild populations; b) determine the dispersal process of maize in the lowlands of South America, and identify races of maize in Brazil, in order to update the information on maize diversity in in situ-on farm conservation. To this end, molecular markers such as microsatellites, SNPs and sequences of chloroplast DNA regions will be used. Phenotypic evaluations will also be conducted in maize for the identification of races of maize currently present in Brazil. (AU)