Genetic diversity of Camelina sativa: implications for sustainable crop improvement through Genotyping-by-Sequencing...

Camelina sativa, an oilseed crop from the Brassicaceae family, has gained attention over the past two decades due to its resilience to harsh environments, short growth cycle, low input needs, and high omega-3 fatty acid content. These traits make it a promising candidate for industrial and bio-based applications, including edible and industrial oils, biofuels, and soil enhancement. This study aimed to identify and genotype SNPs on a genome-wide scale to assess genetic diversity and population structure for breeding programs and conservation efforts.

Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) technology, we investigated 86 C. sativa doubled haploid lines from 15 crosses, mapping 5,872 high-quality SNP markers across the genome. Population structure analysis revealed two main subpopulations, with evidence of genetic exchange likely influenced by geographic factors and human activity. AMOVA results indicated that 90% of variation occurred within subpopulations, with a low Fst value (0.096) suggesting high gene flow (Nm = 2.343). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) based on genetic distances grouped the lines into two main clusters, each further subdivided into two distinct subgroups, highlighting the existence of a well-defined genetic structure within the population.

These findings confirm low genetic diversity within C. sativa populations, which has significant implications for breeding strategies aimed at improving yield and resilience in industrial applications. This research provides crucial insights for future genetic studies and breeding efforts in Camelina, particularly regarding genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and marker-assisted selection (MAS) to enhance genetic gains.