Comparisons of wild and cultivated American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) genomes provide insights into changes in root growth and metabolism during domestication.

This article explores the genetic basis for changes in root growth and metabolism during the domestication of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.). The researchers sequenced and analyzed the genomes of wild and cultivated American ginseng varieties, finding that cultivated varieties had fewer lateral roots and lower levels of ginsenoside Rg1 compared to wild varieties. They identified gene families related to cell wall synthesis and structure that were expanded in cultivated ginseng. Additionally, they found that certain genes related to cell wall development and stress resistance were positively selected in wild ginseng. The study suggests that the regulation of cell wall composition and structure plays a role in the formation of specific root morphology in cultivated ginseng. [Extracted from the article]