Genetics and Genomics of Cottonseed Oil

The Gossypium genus consists of about 50 diploid species distributed in 8 genome groups (A–G and K) and 7 known tetraploid species derived from the fusion of the A and D genomes. Recently, the genomes of allotetraploid cotton and its progenitors have been sequenced. Cotton (Gossypium sp.) is grown primarily for fiber and to a lesser extent its oilseed. The phenolic compound, gossypol, needs to be removed to make cottonseed oil edible. The oil composition is approximately two-thirds unsaturated to one-third saturated fatty acids. Understanding the genetic network of oil production and genes related to oil traits is important to develop a healthy edible product to fight global food scarcity. Studies pertaining to structural variation in genome and positional cloning have increased with the availability of genome sequence, enormous -omics data, and current low-cost next-generation sequencing techniques. Further, with the availability of functional verification tools like RNA-Seq and gene editing via RNAi or CRISPR/CAS9, one can effectively decipher the function of gene/s and their role in complex biosynthesis process of oil production. Whole-genome sequencing will serve as a foundation in developing cotton germplasm that can improve cottonseed oil without disturbing lint yield components.