Cassava (Manihot esculenta) and Close Relatives WGS Sequencing

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a staple food for millions across the tropical regions of the world. As climate change continues to exert unprecedented pressure on global agriculture, the need for resilient and adaptable crop varieties has never been more critical. In this study, we investigate cassava genetic diversity by sequencing and analyzing nearly 400 landrace varieties sourced from diverse climates across Colombia. As Cassava was domesticated in or near the Amazon basin, these landraces represent untapped genetic diversity that can be used to help improve modern varieties.