https://en.people.cn/n3/2026/0112/c90000-20413015.html

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02130-4

A team from the CAAS Institute of Cotton Research has constructed a pan genome of the world’s primary cotton crop, compiled from 107 representative varieties.

It addresses a critical bottleneck in global cotton production: intensive cultivation and selective breeding have drastically narrowed the genetic diversity of upland cotton, which supplies over 95 percent of the world’s natural fiber. This makes crops more vulnerable to diseases, pests, and climate change while limiting further quality improvements.

A landmark discovery was the identification of a specific large-scale chromosomal exchange. This genetic signature indicates that modern cotton originated from a surprisingly narrow lineage in Central America.

The study connects structural variations to crucial agricultural traits. It identified 69 genetic loci associated with fiber quality and yield, 62 of which were entirely new discoveries invisible to traditional genetic analysis. The research also mapped specific variations controlling natural pest resistance and fiber color, and uncovered a new genetic region, VWD11, that confers resistance to the devastating Verticillium wilt disease.

The findings are particularly vital for China, the world’s largest cotton producer and consumer, to enhance the resilience and sustainability of its agricultural base, with significant implications for global textile security.