Capturing genetic variation in crop wild relatives: An evolutionary approach

Crop wild relatives (CWR) offer novel genetic resources for crop improvement. To assist in the urgent need to collect and conserve CWR germplasm, this study advances the concept of an “evolutionary” approach. Central to this approach is the predictive use of spatial proxies of evolutionary processes (natural selection, gene flow and genetic drift) to locate and capture genetic variation. The paper shows that harnessing proxies of adaptive and nonadaptive evolutionary processes could provide a robust and valuable means to identify genetic variation in CWRs. The authors thus advocate wider use and development of this approach amongst researchers, breeders and practitioners, to expedite the capture and in situ conservation of genetic resources provided by crop wild relatives.