Phylogenomic investigation of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) and related species using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS)

Safflower is of growing economic importance due to (i) the possibility to obtain itshealthy oil under (ii) dry conditions and on salt influenced soils. Here we analyze aworldwide set of safflower accessions to determine if certain geographically definedecotypes are reflected in the genetic composition of the crop. In contrast to earlierstudies we use genome-wide SNP data that we obtained through genotyping-bysequencing.We conclude that(i) Carthamus palaestinus from the Israel/Jordan region is the progenitor of the crop;(ii) that safflower can be crossed with its closest relatives;(iii) that the up-to-now assumed ecotypes are not reflected in the phylogeny of thespecies.