1
|
Albuja-Quintana M, Pozo G, Gordillo-Romero M, Armijos CE, Torres MDL. Genome report: First reference genome of Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, an emblematic Andean species. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkae136. [PMID: 38888171 PMCID: PMC11304950 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkae136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, known as "mortiño," is an endemic shrub species of the Andean region adapted to harsh conditions in high-altitude ecosystems. It plays an important ecological role as a pioneer species in the aftermath of deforestation and human-induced fires within paramo ecosystems, emphasizing its conservation value. While previous studies have offered insights into the genetic diversity of mortiño, comprehensive genomic studies are still missing to fully understand the unique adaptations of this species and its population status, highlighting the importance of generating a reference genome for this plant. ONT and Illumina sequencing were used to establish a reference genome for this species. Three different de novo genome assemblies were generated and compared for quality, continuity and completeness. The Flye assembly was selected as the best and refined by filtering out short ONT reads, screening for contaminants and genome scaffolding. The final assembly has a genome size of 529 Mb, containing 1,317 contigs and 97% complete BUSCOs, indicating a high level of integrity of the genome. Additionally, the LTR Assembly Index of 12.93 further categorizes this assembly as a reference genome. The genome of V. floribundum reported in this study is the first reference genome generated for this species, providing a valuable tool for further studies. This high-quality genome, based on the quality and completeness parameters obtained, will not only help uncover the genetic mechanisms responsible for its unique traits and adaptations to high-altitude ecosystems but will also contribute to conservation strategies for a species endemic to the Andes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Albuja-Quintana
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Laboratorio de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Campus Cumbayá, Quito 170901, Ecuador
| | - Gabriela Pozo
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Laboratorio de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Campus Cumbayá, Quito 170901, Ecuador
| | - Milton Gordillo-Romero
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Laboratorio de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Campus Cumbayá, Quito 170901, Ecuador
| | - Carolina E Armijos
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Laboratorio de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Campus Cumbayá, Quito 170901, Ecuador
| | - Maria de Lourdes Torres
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Laboratorio de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Campus Cumbayá, Quito 170901, Ecuador
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hirabayashi K, Debnath SC, Owens GL. Unveiling the evolutionary history of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) through genome sequencing and assembly of European and North American subspecies. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkad294. [PMID: 38142435 PMCID: PMC10917501 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) produces tiny red berries that are tart and nutty in flavor. It grows widely in the circumpolar region, including Scandinavia, northern parts of Eurasia, Alaska, and Canada. Although cultivation is currently limited, the plant has a long history of cultural use among indigenous communities. Given its potential as a food source, genomic resources for lingonberry are significantly lacking. To advance genomic knowledge, the genomes for 2 subspecies of lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea ssp. minus and ssp. vitis-idaea var. 'Red Candy') were sequenced and de novo assembled into contig-level assemblies. The assemblies were scaffolded using the bilberry genome (Vaccinium myrtillus) to generate a chromosome-anchored reference genome consisting of 12 chromosomes each with a total length of 548.07 Mb [contig N50 = 1.17 Mb, BUSCO (C%) = 96.5%] for ssp. vitis-idaea and 518.70 Mb [contig N50 = 1.40 Mb, BUSCO (C%) = 96.9%] for ssp. minus. RNA-seq-based gene annotation identified 27,243 and 25,718 genes on the respective assembly, and transposable element detection methods found that 45.82 and 44.58% of the genome were repeats. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that lingonberry was most closely related to bilberry and was more closely related to blueberries than cranberries. Estimates of past effective population size suggested a continuous decline over the past 1-3 MYA, possibly due to the impacts of repeated glacial cycles during the Pleistocene leading to frequent population fragmentation. The genomic resource created in this study can be used to identify industry-relevant genes (e.g. anthocyanin production), infer phylogeny, and call sequence-level variants (e.g. SNPs) in future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaede Hirabayashi
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Samir C Debnath
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, St.John's Research and Development Centre, 204 Brookfield Road, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador L A1E 0B2, Canada
| | - Gregory L Owens
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yocca AE, Platts A, Alger E, Teresi S, Mengist MF, Benevenuto J, Ferrão LFV, Jacobs M, Babinski M, Magallanes-Lundback M, Bayer P, Golicz A, Humann JL, Main D, Espley RV, Chagné D, Albert NW, Montanari S, Vorsa N, Polashock J, Díaz-Garcia L, Zalapa J, Bassil NV, Munoz PR, Iorizzo M, Edger PP. Blueberry and cranberry pangenomes as a resource for future genetic studies and breeding efforts. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad202. [PMID: 38023484 PMCID: PMC10673653 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Domestication of cranberry and blueberry began in the United States in the early 1800s and 1900s, respectively, and in part owing to their flavors and health-promoting benefits are now cultivated and consumed worldwide. The industry continues to face a wide variety of production challenges (e.g. disease pressures), as well as a demand for higher-yielding cultivars with improved fruit quality characteristics. Unfortunately, molecular tools to help guide breeding efforts for these species have been relatively limited compared with those for other high-value crops. Here, we describe the construction and analysis of the first pangenome for both blueberry and cranberry. Our analysis of these pangenomes revealed both crops exhibit great genetic diversity, including the presence-absence variation of 48.4% genes in highbush blueberry and 47.0% genes in cranberry. Auxiliary genes, those not shared by all cultivars, are significantly enriched with molecular functions associated with disease resistance and the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites, including compounds previously associated with improving fruit quality traits. The discovery of thousands of genes, not present in the previous reference genomes for blueberry and cranberry, will serve as the basis of future research and as potential targets for future breeding efforts. The pangenome, as a multiple-sequence alignment, as well as individual annotated genomes, are publicly available for analysis on the Genome Database for Vaccinium-a curated and integrated web-based relational database. Lastly, the core-gene predictions from the pangenomes will serve useful to develop a community genotyping platform to guide future molecular breeding efforts across the family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan E Yocca
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Adrian Platts
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Elizabeth Alger
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Scott Teresi
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
- Genetics and Genome Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Molla F Mengist
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC United States
| | - Juliana Benevenuto
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Luis Felipe V Ferrão
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - MacKenzie Jacobs
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Michal Babinski
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | | | - Philipp Bayer
- University of Western Australia, Perth 6009Australia
| | | | - Jodi L Humann
- Department of Horticulture, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99163, United States
| | - Dorrie Main
- Department of Horticulture, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99163, United States
| | - Richard V Espley
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David Chagné
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Palmerston, New Zealand
| | - Nick W Albert
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Palmerston, New Zealand
| | - Sara Montanari
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Motueka, New Zealand
| | - Nicholi Vorsa
- SEBS, Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ 01019United States
| | - James Polashock
- SEBS, Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ 01019United States
| | - Luis Díaz-Garcia
- Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Juan Zalapa
- Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Nahla V Bassil
- National Clonal Germplasm Repository, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, OR 97333, United States
| | - Patricio R Munoz
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Massimo Iorizzo
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NCUnited States
- Department of Horticulture, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NCUnited States
| | - Patrick P Edger
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
- Genetics and Genome Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
- MSU AgBioResearch, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zeng T, He Z, He J, Lv W, Huang S, Li J, Zhu L, Wan S, Zhou W, Yang Z, Zhang Y, Luo C, He J, Wang C, Wang L. The telomere-to-telomere gap-free reference genome of wild blueberry ( Vaccinium duclouxii) provides its high soluble sugar and anthocyanin accumulation. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad209. [PMID: 38023474 PMCID: PMC10681038 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Vaccinium duclouxii, endemic to southwestern China, is a berry-producing shrub or small tree belonging to the Ericaceae family, with high nutritive, medicinal, and ornamental value, abundant germplasm resources, and good edible properties. In addition, V. duclouxii exhibits strong tolerance to adverse environmental conditions, making it a promising candidate for research and offering wide-ranging possibilities for utilization. However, the lack of V. duclouxii genome sequence has hampered its development and utilization. Here, a high-quality telomere-to-telomere genome sequence of V. duclouxii was de novo assembled and annotated. All of 12 chromosomes were assembled into gap-free single contigs, providing the highest integrity and quality assembly reported so far for blueberry. The V. duclouxii genome is 573.67 Mb, which encodes 41 953 protein-coding genes. Combining transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses, we have uncovered the molecular mechanisms involved in sugar and acid accumulation and anthocyanin biosynthesis in V. duclouxii. This provides essential molecular information for further research on the quality of V. duclouxii. Moreover, the high-quality telomere-to-telomere assembly of the V. duclouxii genome will provide insights into the genomic evolution of Vaccinium and support advancements in blueberry genetics and molecular breeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuo Zeng
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550000, China
| | - Zhijiao He
- Institute of Alpine Economic Plant, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lijiang 674199, Yunnan, China
| | - Jiefang He
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550000, China
| | - Wei Lv
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550000, China
| | - Shixiang Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550000, China
| | - Jiawen Li
- School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Liyong Zhu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shuang Wan
- Wuhan Benagen Technology Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wanfei Zhou
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zhengsong Yang
- Institute of Alpine Economic Plant, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lijiang 674199, Yunnan, China
| | - Yatao Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550000, China
| | - Chong Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550000, China
| | - Jiawei He
- Institute of Alpine Economic Plant, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lijiang 674199, Yunnan, China
| | - Caiyun Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Liangsheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
- China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yocca AE, Platts A, Alger E, Teresi S, Mengist MF, Benevenuto J, Ferrão LFV, Jacobs M, Babinski M, Magallanes-Lundback M, Bayer P, Golicz A, Humann JL, Main D, Espley RV, Chagné D, Albert NW, Montanari S, Vorsa N, Polashock J, Díaz-Garcia L, Zalapa J, Bassil NV, Munoz PR, Iorizzo M, Edger PP. Blueberry and cranberry pangenomes as a resource for future genetic studies and breeding efforts. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.31.551392. [PMID: 37577683 PMCID: PMC10418200 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.31.551392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Domestication of cranberry and blueberry began in the United States in the early 1800s and 1900s, respectively, and in part owing to their flavors and health-promoting benefits are now cultivated and consumed worldwide. The industry continues to face a wide variety of production challenges (e.g. disease pressures) as well as a demand for higher-yielding cultivars with improved fruit quality characteristics. Unfortunately, molecular tools to help guide breeding efforts for these species have been relatively limited compared with those for other high-value crops. Here, we describe the construction and analysis of the first pangenome for both blueberry and cranberry. Our analysis of these pangenomes revealed both crops exhibit great genetic diversity, including the presence-absence variation of 48.4% genes in highbush blueberry and 47.0% genes in cranberry. Auxiliary genes, those not shared by all cultivars, are significantly enriched with molecular functions associated with disease resistance and the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites, including compounds previously associated with improving fruit quality traits. The discovery of thousands of genes, not present in the previous reference genomes for blueberry and cranberry, will serve as the basis of future research and as potential targets for future breeding efforts. The pangenome, as a multiple-sequence alignment, as well as individual annotated genomes, are publicly available for analysis on the Genome Database for Vaccinium - a curated and integrated web-based relational database. Lastly, the core-gene predictions from the pangenomes will serve useful to develop a community genotyping platform to guide future molecular breeding efforts across the family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan E. Yocca
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Adrian Platts
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Elizabeth Alger
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Scott Teresi
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Genetics and Genome Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Molla F. Mengist
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC USA
| | - Juliana Benevenuto
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Luis Felipe V. Ferrão
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - MacKenzie Jacobs
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Michal Babinski
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | | | - Philipp Bayer
- University of Western Australia, Perth 6009 Australia
| | | | - Jodi L Humann
- Department of Horticulture, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99163, USA
| | - Dorrie Main
- Department of Horticulture, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99163, USA
| | - Richard V. Espley
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David Chagné
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Palmerston, New Zealand
| | - Nick W. Albert
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Palmerston, New Zealand
| | - Sara Montanari
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Motueka, New Zealand
| | - Nicholi Vorsa
- SEBS, Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ 01019 USA
| | - James Polashock
- SEBS, Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ 01019 USA
| | - Luis Díaz-Garcia
- USDA-ARS, VCRU, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Juan Zalapa
- USDA-ARS, VCRU, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Nahla V. Bassil
- USDA-ARS, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Patricio R. Munoz
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Massimo Iorizzo
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC USA
- Department of Horticulture, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC USA
| | - Patrick P. Edger
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Genetics and Genome Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- MSU AgBioResearch, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chang Y, Zhang R, Ma Y, Sun W. A haplotype-resolved genome assembly of Rhododendron vialii based on PacBio HiFi reads and Hi-C data. Sci Data 2023; 10:451. [PMID: 37438373 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02362-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhododendron vialii (subgen. Azaleastrum) is an evergreen shrub with high ornamental value. This species has been listed as a plant species with extremely small populations (PSESP) for urgent protection by China's Yunnan provincial government in 2021, due to anthropogenic habitat fragmentation. However, limited genomic resources hinder scientifically understanding of genetic threats that the species is currently facing. In this study, we assembled a high-quality haplotype-resolved genome of R. vialii based on PacBio HiFi long reads and Hi-C reads. The assembly contains two haploid genomes with sizes 532.73 Mb and 521.98 Mb, with contig N50 length of 35.67 Mb and 34.70 Mb, respectively. About 99.92% of the assembled sequences could be anchored to 26 pseudochromosomes, and 14 gapless assembled chromosomes were included in this assembly. Additionally, 60,926 protein-coding genes were identified, of which 93.82% were functionally annotated. This is the first reported genome of R. vialii, and hopefully it will lay the foundations for further research into the conservation genomics and horticultural domestication of this ornamentally important species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Chang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Kunming, 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Rengang Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Kunming, 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Yongpeng Ma
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China.
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Kunming, 650201, China.
| | - Weibang Sun
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China.
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Kunming, 650201, China.
- Kunming Botanical Garden, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Erndwein L, Kawash J, Knowles S, Vorsa N, Polashock J. Cranberry fruit epicuticular wax benefits and identification of a wax-associated molecular marker. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:181. [PMID: 37020185 PMCID: PMC10074888 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04207-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the global climate changes, periods of abiotic stress throughout the North American cranberry growing regions will become more common. One consequence of high temperature extremes and drought conditions is sunscald. Scalding damages the developing berry and reduces yields through fruit tissue damage and/or secondary pathogen infection. Irrigation runs to cool the fruit is the primary approach to controlling sunscald. However, it is water intensive and can increase fungal-incited fruit rot. Epicuticular wax functions as a barrier to various environmental stresses in other fruit crops and may be a promising feature to mitigate sunscald in cranberry. In this study we assessed the function of epicuticular wax in cranberries to attenuate stresses associated with sunscald by subjecting high and low epicuticular wax cranberries to controlled desiccation and light/heat exposure. A cranberry population that segregates for epicuticular wax was phenotyped for epicuticular fruit wax levels and genotyped using GBS. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses of these data identified a locus associated with epicuticular wax phenotype. A SNP marker was developed in the QTL region to be used for marker assisted selection. RESULTS Cranberries with high epicuticular wax lost less mass percent and maintained a lower surface temperature following heat/light and desiccation experiments as compared to fruit with low wax. QTL analysis identified a marker on chromosome 1 at position 38,782,094 bp associated with the epicuticular wax phenotype. Genotyping assays revealed that cranberry selections homozygous for a selected SNP have consistently high epicuticular wax scores. A candidate gene (GL1-9), associated with epicuticular wax synthesis, was also identified near this QTL region. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that high cranberry epicuticular wax load may help reduce the effects of heat/light and water stress: two primary contributors to sunscald. Further, the molecular marker identified in this study can be used in marker assisted selection to screen cranberry seedlings for the potential to have high fruit epicuticular wax. This work serves to advance the genetic improvement of cranberry crops in the face of global climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Erndwein
- ORISE Postdoctoral Research Associate, Chatsworth, NJ, 08019, USA
| | - Joseph Kawash
- Genetic Improvement of Fruit and Vegetables Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA-ARS, Chatsworth, NJ, 08019, USA
| | - Sara Knowles
- P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Rutgers University, Chatsworth, NJ, 08019, USA
| | - Nicholi Vorsa
- P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Rutgers University, Chatsworth, NJ, 08019, USA
| | - James Polashock
- Genetic Improvement of Fruit and Vegetables Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA-ARS, Chatsworth, NJ, 08019, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tchokponhoué DA, Achigan-Dako EG, Sognigbé N, Nyadanu D, Hale I, Odindo AO, Sibiya J. Genome-wide diversity analysis suggests divergence among Upper Guinea and the Dahomey Gap populations of the Sisrè berry (Syn: miracle fruit) plant (Synsepalum dulcificum [Schumach. & Thonn.] Daniell) in West Africa. THE PLANT GENOME 2023; 16:e20299. [PMID: 36661287 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Although Synsepalum dulcificum is viewed as one of the most economically promising orphan tree crops worldwide, its genetic improvement and sustainable conservation are hindered by a lack of understanding of its evolutionary history and current population structure. Here, we report for the first time the application of genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping to a diverse panel of S. dulcificum accessions to depict the genetic diversity and population structure of the species in the Dahomey Gap (DG) and Upper Guinea (UG) regions to infer its evolutionary history. Our findings suggest low overall genetic diversity but strong population divergence within the species. Neighbor-joining analysis detected two genetic groups in the UG and DG regions, while STRUCTURE distinguished three genetic groups, corresponding to the UG, Western DG, and Central DG regions. Application of Monmonier's algorithm revealed the existence of a barrier disrupting connectivity between the UG and DG groups. The Western DG group consistently exhibited the highest levels of nucleotide and haplotype diversities, while that of the Central DG exhibited the lowest. Analyses of Tajima's D, Fu's Fs, and Achaz Y* statistics suggest that while both UG and Central DG groups likely experienced recent expansions, the Western DG group is at equilibrium. These findings suggest a geographical structuring of genetic variation which supports the conclusion of differential evolutionary histories among West African groups of S. dulcificum. These results provide foundational insights to guide informed breeding population development and design sustainable conservation strategies for this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dèdéou A Tchokponhoué
- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), School of Plant Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin
| | - Enoch G Achigan-Dako
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), School of Plant Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin
| | - N'Danikou Sognigbé
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), School of Plant Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin
- Ecole d'Horticulture et d'Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Université Nationale d'Agriculture, Kétou, Republic of Benin
- World Vegetable Center, East and Southern Africa, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Daniel Nyadanu
- Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), Akim Tafo, Ghana
| | - Iago Hale
- Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Alfred O Odindo
- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Julia Sibiya
- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhou Y, Li Q, Wang Z, Zhang Y. High Efficiency Regeneration System from Blueberry Leaves and Stems. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:life13010242. [PMID: 36676191 PMCID: PMC9861610 DOI: 10.3390/life13010242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The main propagation approach is tissue culture in blueberries, and tissue culture is an effective and low-cost method with higher economic efficiency in blueberries. However, there is a lack of stable and efficient production systems of industrialization of tissue culture in blueberries. In this study, the high-efficiency tissue culture and rapid propagation technology system were established based on blueberry leaves and stems. The optimal medium for callus induction was WPM (woody plant medium) containing 2.0 mg/L Forchlorfenuron (CPPU), 0.2 mg/L 2-isopentenyladenine (2-ip) with a 97% callus induction rate and a callus differentiation rate of 71% by using blueberry leaves as explants. The optimal secondary culture of the leaf callus medium was WPM containing 3.0 mg/L CPPU with an increment coefficient of 24%. The optimal bud growth medium was WPM containing 1.0 mg/L CPPU, 0.4 mg/L 2-ip, with which the growth of the bud was better, stronger and faster. The optimal rooting medium was 1/2 Murashige and Skoog (1/2MS) medium containing 2.0 mg/L naphthylacetic acid (NAA), with which the rooting rate was 90% with shorter rooting time and more adventitious root. In addition, we established a regeneration system based on blueberry stems. The optimal preculture medium in blueberry stem explants was MS medium containing 2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid (MES) containing 0.2 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 0.1 mg/L CPPU, 100 mg/L NaCl, with which the germination rate of the bud was 93%. The optimal medium for fast plant growth was MS medium containing MES containing 0.4 mg/L zeatin (ZT), 1 mg/L putrescine, 1 mg/L spermidine, 1 mg/L spermidine, which had a good growth state and growth rate. The optimal cultivation for plantlet growth was MS medium containing MES containing 0.5 mg/L isopentene adenine, with which the plantlet was strong. The optimal rooting medium for the stem was 1/2MS medium containing 2.0 mg/L NAA, with which the rooting rate was 93% with a short time and more adventitious root. In conclusion, we found that stem explants had higher regeneration efficiency for a stable and efficient production system of industrialization of tissue culture. This study provides theoretical guidance and technical support in precision breeding and standardization and industrialization in the blueberry industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangyan Zhou
- School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qing Li
- Key Research Institute of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development & Collaborative Innovation Center on Yellow River Civilization, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Zejia Wang
- School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Grassland Agri-Husbandry Research Center, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hirabayashi K, Murch SJ, Erland LAE. Predicted impacts of climate change on wild and commercial berry habitats will have food security, conservation and agricultural implications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 845:157341. [PMID: 35842164 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is now a reality and is altering ecosystems, with Canada experiencing 2-4 times the global average rate of warming. This will have a critical impact on berry cultivation and horticulture. Enhancing our understanding of how wild and cultivated berries will perform under changing climates will be essential to mitigating impacts on ecosystems, culture and food security. Our objective was to predict the impact of climate change on habitat suitability of four berry producing Vaccinium species: two species with primarily northern distributions (V. uliginosum, V. vitis-idaea), one species with a primarily southern distribution (V. oxycoccos), and the commercially cultivated V. macrocarpon. We used the maximum entropy (Maxent) model and the CMIP6 shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) 126 and 585 projected to 2041-2060 and 2061-2080. Wild species showed a uniform northward progression and expansion of suitable habitat. Our modeling predicts that suitable growing regions for commercial cranberries are also likely to shift with some farms becoming unsuitable for the current varieties and other regions becoming more suitable for cranberry farms. Both V. macrocarpon and V. oxycoccos showed a high dependence on precipitation-associated variables. Vaccinium vitis-idaea and V. uliginosum had a greater number of variables with smaller contributions which may improve their resilience to individual climactic events. Future competition between commercial cranberry farms and wild berries in protected areas could lead to conflicts between agriculture and conservation priorities. New varieties of commercial berries are required to maintain current commercial berry farms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaede Hirabayashi
- Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Susan J Murch
- Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Lauren A E Erland
- Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada; Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, BC, V2R 0N9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Neyhart JL, Kantar MB, Zalapa J, Vorsa N. Genomic-environmental associations in wild cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.). G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac203. [PMID: 35944211 PMCID: PMC9526045 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis of local adaptation in natural plant populations, particularly crop wild relatives, may be highly useful for plant breeding. By characterizing genetic variation for adaptation to potentially stressful environmental conditions, breeders can make targeted use of crop wild relatives to develop cultivars for novel or changing environments. This is especially appealing for improving long-lived woody perennial crops such as the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.), the cultivation of which is challenged by biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we used environmental association analyses in a collection of 111 wild cranberry accessions to identify potentially adaptive genomic regions for a range of bioclimatic and soil conditions. We detected 126 significant associations between SNP marker loci and environmental variables describing temperature, precipitation, and soil attributes. Many of these markers tagged genes with functional annotations strongly suggesting a role in adaptation to biotic or abiotic conditions. Despite relatively low genetic variation in cranberry, our results suggest that local adaptation to divergent environments is indeed present, and the identification of potentially adaptive genetic variation may enable a selective use of this germplasm for breeding more stress-tolerant cultivars.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Neyhart
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Genetic Improvement for Fruits & Vegetables Laboratory, Chatsworth, NJ 08019, USA
| | - Michael B Kantar
- Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Juan Zalapa
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Nicholi Vorsa
- Department of Plant Biology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Montanari S, Thomson S, Cordiner S, Günther CS, Miller P, Deng CH, McGhie T, Knäbel M, Foster T, Turner J, Chagné D, Espley R. High-density linkage map construction in an autotetraploid blueberry population and detection of quantitative trait loci for anthocyanin content. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:965397. [PMID: 36247546 PMCID: PMC9555082 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.965397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum, 2n = 4x = 48) is the most cultivated type of blueberry, both in New Zealand and overseas. Its perceived nutritional value is conferred by phytonutrients, particularly anthocyanins. Identifying the genetic mechanisms that control the biosynthesis of these metabolites would enable faster development of cultivars with improved fruit qualities. Here, we used recently released tools for genetic mapping in autotetraploids to build a high-density linkage map in highbush blueberry and to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fruit anthocyanin content. Genotyping was performed by target sequencing, with ∼18,000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers being mapped into 12 phased linkage groups (LGs). Fruits were harvested when ripe for two seasons and analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS): 25 different anthocyanin compounds were identified and quantified. Two major QTLs that were stable across years were discovered, one on LG2 and one on LG4, and the underlying candidate genes were identified. Interestingly, the presence of anthocyanins containing acylated sugars appeared to be under strong genetic control. Information gained in this study will enable the design of molecular markers for marker-assisted selection and will help build a better understanding of the genetic control of anthocyanin biosynthesis in this crop.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Montanari
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Motueka, New Zealand
| | - Susan Thomson
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Cordiner
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Catrin S. Günther
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Ruakura, New Zealand
| | - Poppy Miller
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Te Puke, New Zealand
| | - Cecilia H. Deng
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tony McGhie
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Mareike Knäbel
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Toshi Foster
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Motueka, New Zealand
| | - Janice Turner
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Motueka, New Zealand
| | - David Chagné
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Richard Espley
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cui F, Ye X, Li X, Yang Y, Hu Z, Overmyer K, Brosché M, Yu H, Salojärvi J. Chromosome-level genome assembly of the diploid blueberry Vaccinium darrowii provides insights into its subtropical adaptation and cuticle synthesis. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 3:100307. [PMID: 35605198 PMCID: PMC9284290 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2022.100307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Vaccinium darrowii is a subtropical wild blueberry species that has been used to breed economically important southern highbush cultivars. The adaptive traits of V. darrowii to subtropical climates can provide valuable information for breeding blueberry and perhaps other plants, especially against the background of global warming. Here, we assembled the V. darrowii genome into 12 pseudochromosomes using Oxford Nanopore long reads complemented with Hi-C scaffolding technologies, and we predicted 41 815 genes using RNA-sequencing evidence. Syntenic analysis across three Vaccinium species revealed a highly conserved genome structure, with the highest collinearity between V. darrowii and Vaccinium corymbosum. This conserved genome structure may explain the high fertility observed during crossbreeding of V. darrowii with other blueberry cultivars. Analysis of gene expansion and tandem duplication indicated possible roles for defense- and flowering-associated genes in the adaptation of V. darrowii to the subtropics. Putative SOC1 genes in V. darrowii were identified based on phylogeny and expression analysis. Blueberries are covered in a thick cuticle layer and contain anthocyanins, which confer their powdery blue color. Using RNA sequencing, we delineated the cuticle biosynthesis pathways of Vaccinium species in V. darrowii. This result can serve as a reference for breeding berries whose colors are appealing to customers. The V. darrowii reference genome, together with the unique traits of this species, including its diploid genome, short vegetative phase, and high compatibility in hybridization with other blueberries, make V. darrowii a potential research model for blueberry species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Cui
- College of Forestry and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin'an, Hangzhou 311300, China.
| | - Xiaoxue Ye
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops, Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, Hainan 571101, China; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaoxiao Li
- College of Forestry and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin'an, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Yifan Yang
- College of Forestry and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin'an, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Zhubing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Stress Biology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Kirk Overmyer
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, and the Viikki Plant Science Centre, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65 (Viikinkaari 1), 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikael Brosché
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, and the Viikki Plant Science Centre, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65 (Viikinkaari 1), 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hong Yu
- Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Jarkko Salojärvi
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, and the Viikki Plant Science Centre, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65 (Viikinkaari 1), 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Edger PP, Iorizzo M, Bassil NV, Benevenuto J, Ferrão LFV, Giongo L, Hummer K, Lawas LMF, Leisner CP, Li C, Munoz PR, Ashrafi H, Atucha A, Babiker EM, Canales E, Chagné D, DeVetter L, Ehlenfeldt M, Espley RV, Gallardo K, Günther CS, Hardigan M, Hulse-Kemp AM, Jacobs M, Lila MA, Luby C, Main D, Mengist MF, Owens GL, Perkins-Veazie P, Polashock J, Pottorff M, Rowland LJ, Sims CA, Song GQ, Spencer J, Vorsa N, Yocca AE, Zalapa J. There and back again; historical perspective and future directions for Vaccinium breeding and research studies. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2022; 9:uhac083. [PMID: 35611183 PMCID: PMC9123236 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhac083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The genus Vaccinium L. (Ericaceae) contains a wide diversity of culturally and economically important berry crop species. Consumer demand and scientific research in blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) and cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) have increased worldwide over the crops' relatively short domestication history (~100 years). Other species, including bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), and ohelo berry (Vaccinium reticulatum) are largely still harvested from the wild but with crop improvement efforts underway. Here, we present a review article on these Vaccinium berry crops on topics that span taxonomy to genetics and genomics to breeding. We highlight the accomplishments made thus far for each of these crops, along their journey from the wild, and propose research areas and questions that will require investments by the community over the coming decades to guide future crop improvement efforts. New tools and resources are needed to underpin the development of superior cultivars that are not only more resilient to various environmental stresses and higher yielding, but also produce fruit that continue to meet a variety of consumer preferences, including fruit quality and health related traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick P Edger
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- MSU AgBioResearch, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Massimo Iorizzo
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC USA
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Nahla V Bassil
- USDA-ARS, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Juliana Benevenuto
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Luis Felipe V Ferrão
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Lara Giongo
- Fondazione Edmund Mach - Research and Innovation CentreItaly
| | - Kim Hummer
- USDA-ARS, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Lovely Mae F Lawas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Courtney P Leisner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Changying Li
- Phenomics and Plant Robotics Center, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Patricio R Munoz
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Hamid Ashrafi
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Amaya Atucha
- Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Ebrahiem M Babiker
- USDA-ARS Southern Horticultural Laboratory, Poplarville, MS 39470-0287, USA
| | - Elizabeth Canales
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
| | - David Chagné
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Lisa DeVetter
- Department of Horticulture, Washington State University Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center, Mount Vernon, WA, 98221, USA
| | - Mark Ehlenfeldt
- SEBS, Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ 01019 USA
| | - Richard V Espley
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Karina Gallardo
- School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA 98371, USA
| | - Catrin S Günther
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Michael Hardigan
- USDA-ARS, Horticulture Crops Research Unit, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Amanda M Hulse-Kemp
- USDA-ARS, Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - MacKenzie Jacobs
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Mary Ann Lila
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC USA
| | - Claire Luby
- USDA-ARS, Horticulture Crops Research Unit, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Dorrie Main
- Department of Horticulture, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99163, USA
| | - Molla F Mengist
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC USA
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | | | | | - James Polashock
- SEBS, Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ 01019 USA
| | - Marti Pottorff
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC USA
| | - Lisa J Rowland
- USDA-ARS, Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Charles A Sims
- Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Guo-qing Song
- Plant Biotechnology Resource and Outreach Center, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jessica Spencer
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Nicholi Vorsa
- SEBS, Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ 01019 USA
| | - Alan E Yocca
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Juan Zalapa
- USDA-ARS, VCRU, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kawash J, Colt K, Hartwick NT, Abramson BW, Vorsa N, Polashock JJ, Michael TP. Contrasting a reference cranberry genome to a crop wild relative provides insights into adaptation, domestication, and breeding. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264966. [PMID: 35255111 PMCID: PMC8901128 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a member of the Heath family (Ericaceae) and is a temperate low-growing woody perennial native to North America that is both economically important and has significant health benefits. While some native varieties are still grown today, breeding programs over the past 50 years have made significant contributions to improving disease resistance, fruit quality and yield. An initial genome sequence of an inbred line of the wild selection ‘Ben Lear,’ which is parent to multiple breeding programs, provided insight into the gene repertoire as well as a platform for molecular breeding. Recent breeding efforts have focused on leveraging the circumboreal V. oxycoccos, which forms interspecific hybrids with V. macrocarpon, offering to bring in novel fruit chemistry and other desirable traits. Here we present an updated, chromosome-resolved V. macrocarpon reference genome, and compare it to a high-quality draft genome of V. oxycoccos. Leveraging the chromosome resolved cranberry reference genome, we confirmed that the Ericaceae has undergone two whole genome duplications that are shared with blueberry and rhododendron. Leveraging resequencing data for ‘Ben Lear’ inbred lines, as well as several wild and elite selections, we identified common regions that are targets of improvement. These same syntenic regions in V. oxycoccos, were identified and represent environmental response and plant architecture genes. These data provide insight into early genomic selection in the domestication of a native North American berry crop.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kawash
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Lab, Chatsworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Kelly Colt
- Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, Salk Institute of Biological Sciences, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Nolan T. Hartwick
- Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, Salk Institute of Biological Sciences, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Bradley W. Abramson
- Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, Salk Institute of Biological Sciences, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Nicholi Vorsa
- P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research, Chatsworth, New Jersey, United States of America
- Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - James J. Polashock
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Lab, Chatsworth, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JJP); (TPM)
| | - Todd P. Michael
- Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, Salk Institute of Biological Sciences, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JJP); (TPM)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yang Z, Liu Z, Xu H, Chen Y, Du P, Li P, Lai W, Hu H, Luo J, Ding Y. The Chromosome-Level Genome of Miracle Fruit ( Synsepalum dulcificum) Provides New Insights Into the Evolution and Function of Miraculin. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 12:804662. [PMID: 35046985 PMCID: PMC8763355 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.804662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) is a rare valuable tropical plant famous for a miraculous sweetening glycoprotein, miraculin, which can modify sour flavors to sweet flavors tasted by humans. Here, we present a chromosome-level high-quality genome of S. dulcificum with an assembly genome size of ∼550 Mb, contig N50 of ∼14.14 Mb, and 37,911 annotated protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. dulcificum was most closely related to Camellia sinensis and Diospyros oleifera, and that S. dulcificum diverged from the Diospyros genus ∼75.8 million years ago (MYA), and that C. sinensis diverged from Synsepalum ∼63.5 MYA. Ks assessment and collinearity analysis with S. dulcificum and other species suggested that a whole-genome duplication (WGD) event occurred in S. dulcificum and that there was good collinearity between S. dulcificum and Vitis vinifera. On the other hand, transcriptome and metabolism analysis with six tissues containing three developmental stages of fleshes and seeds of miracle fruit revealed that Gene Ontology (GO) terms and metabolic pathways of "cellular response to chitin," "plant-pathogen interaction," and "plant hormone signal transduction" were significantly enriched during fruit development. Interestingly, the expression of miraculin (Chr10G0299340) progressively increased from vegetative organs to reproductive organs and reached an incredible level in mature fruit flesh, with an fragments per kilobase of transcript per million (FPKM) value of ∼113,515, which was the most highly expressed gene among all detected genes. Combining the unique signal peptide and the presence of the histidine-30 residue together composed the main potential factors impacting miraculin's unique properties in S. dulcificum. Furthermore, integrated analysis of weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), enrichment and metabolite correlation suggested that miraculin plays potential roles in regulating plant growth, seed germination and maturation, resisting pathogen infection, and environmental pressure. In summary, valuable genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic resources provided in this study will promote the utilization of S. dulcificum and in-depth research on species in the Sapotaceae family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Yang
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Zhenhuan Liu
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Hang Xu
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Yayu Chen
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Pengmeng Du
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Ping Li
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Wenjie Lai
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Haiyan Hu
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| | - Yuanhao Ding
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Exploring the diversity of andean berries from northern Peru based on molecular analyses. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08839. [PMID: 35169641 PMCID: PMC8829587 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 12,000 species have been listed under the category of berries, and most of them belong to the orders Ericales and Rosales. Recent phylogenetic studies using molecular data have revealed disagreements with morphological approaches mainly due to diverse floral arrangements, which has proven to be a problem when recognizing species. Therefore, the use of multilocus sequence data is essential to establish robust species boundaries. Although berries are common in Andean cloud forests, diversity of these taxa has not been extensively evaluated in the current context of DNA-based techniques. In this regard, this study characterized morphologically and constructed multilocus phylogenies using four molecular markers, two chloroplast markers (matK and rbcL) and two nuclear markers (ITS and GBSSI-2). Specimens did not show diagnostic features to delimit species of berries. A total of 125 DNA-barcodes of andean berries were newly generated for the four molecular markers. The multilocus phylogenies constructed from these markers allowed the identification of 24 species grouped into the order Ericales (Cavendishia = 1, Clethra = 2, Disterigma = 2, Gaultheria = 4, Thibaudia = 4, Vaccinium = 3) and Rosales (Rubus = 8), incorporating into the Peruvian flora four new records (Disterigma ecuadorense, Disterigma synanthum, Vaccinium meridionale and Rubus glabratus) and revealing the genus Rubus as the most diverse group of berries in the Amazonas region. The results of this study showed congruence in all the multilocus phylogenies, with internal transcribed spacer (ITS) showing the best resolution to distinguish the species. These species were found in coniferous forests, dry and humid forests, rocky slopes, and grasslands at 2,506–3,019 masl from Amazonas region. The integration of morphological and DNA-based methods is recommended to understand the diversity of berries along the Peruvian Andean cloud forest. Abstract in Quechua language Qhawarqan astawan chunka iskayniyuq waranqa especiekuna bayasmanta huch’uy mit’a maypichus hatun rak’i chayaqi ordenkunata Ericaleswan Rosaleswan. Chayraqpi Khuski filogeneticamanta rurachiy allincharqan chanikuna molecularkuna willarqan ayñi rikunawanta morfologicokunamanta, qaylla llapan rantichay t’ika tiktutaywan ñawray, ima kay kaqta qhawacgirqan kay huk champay pachaman riqsiypa especiekunamanta. Hina kaqtintaq, chanikuna qatikipaykunamanta multilocus hat’alliy tiksipmi takyachiypaq saywakuna sinchikuna especiekunamanta. Pana bayaskuna kanku allatinkuna sach’a-sach’api phuyusqa anti runap, ñawran manan karqan achka kamaykuy kunan pacha allwiyaraykupi takyasqakuna ADN. Chayrayku, Noqanchispa taqwi allincharqan huk filogenia multilocus, rarachikupúnmi tawa molecular marcadorkuna, caspa iskay markadorkunawan cloroplastomanta (matK, rbcL) iskay markadorkunawan nuclearkunamanta (ITS, GBSSI-2). Kaykunawan filogeniamanta huniqamuran kikinchay iskay chunka tawayoq especies ima tantaqamuran q'anchis generospi (Cavendishia=1, Clethra=2, Disterigma=2, Gaultheria=4, Thibaudia=4, Vaccinium=3, Rubus=8), kaykunata huñuyqamuranta piruwanu llacha kamay tawa musuq quillqakamachikuta (Disterigma ecuadorense, Disterigma synanthum, Vaccinium meridionale, Rubus glabratus). Nocaykuq lluqsisqan kuwirinti rikuchirurqan llapankuna filogeniaspi multilocusmanta, kaspa espaciador transcrito interno (ITS) pi rikuchina kutuwi mihur rantichay riqsiypaq especiekunata. Abstract in Awajun language Dekanauwai juú weantug 12000 sag nagkaikiut, júna nejég tente ainawai nuintushkam kuashtai Ericales nuigtu Rosales weantui. Molecularesjai takasmaug juki filogeneticos augtus yamá dekai antugnaiñasmauwa nuna Morfologicosjai disa umikmaug, juka waignawai kuashag yagkunum, juwai dekaata tamanum kuashat utugchata ama nunuka. Nunui asamtai multilocus takasmauwa nujai dekanui wajukut ainawa pipish tumaig aidaush. Tujashkam kuashtai tentee nejég ainaug ikam naig yujagkim amuamua nunuig, wajupá kuashtakit tusajig ashi dekapasjig ADNjain dischamui. Nuni tamaugmak, ii augtusag duka takasé filogenia multilocus dekamua nujai, takasji ipák usumat marcadores molecularesjai, jimag marcadores cloroplastosjai (matK nuigtu rbcL) nuigtu jimag marcadores nuclearesjai (ITS nuigtu GBSSI-2). Juu filogenias dekaji 24 sag nagkaikiut tuwaka 7 generosnug tuwaka awa nunu (Cavendishia=1, Clethra=2, Disterigma=2, Gaultheria=4, Thibaudia=4, Vaccinium=3, Rubus=8), juui dekanai yamajam ipák usumat ajag perunum awanunu (Disterigma ecuadorense, Disterigma synanthum, Vaccinium meridionale nuigtu Rubus glabratus).
Collapse
|
18
|
Tang Q, Chi FM, Liu HD, Zhang HJ, Song Y. Single-Molecule Real-Time and Illumina Sequencing to Analyze Transcriptional Regulation of Flavonoid Synthesis in Blueberry. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:754325. [PMID: 34659323 PMCID: PMC8514788 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.754325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) contain large amounts of flavonoids, which play important roles in the plant's ability to resist stress and can also have beneficial effects on human health when the fruits are eaten. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate flavonoid synthesis in blueberries are still unclear. In this study, we combined two different transcriptome sequencing platforms, single-molecule real-time (SMRT) and Illumina sequencing, to elucidate the flavonoid synthetic pathways in blueberries. We analyzed transcript quantity, length, and the number of annotated genes. We mined genes associated with flavonoid synthesis (such as anthocyanins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins) and employed fluorescence quantitative PCR to analyze the expression of these genes and their correlation with flavonoid synthesis. We discovered one R2R3 MYB transcription factor from the sequencing library, VcMYB1, that can positively regulate anthocyanin synthesis in blueberries. VcMYB1 is mainly expressed in colored (mature) fruits. Experiments showed that overexpression and transient expression of VcMYB1 promoted anthocyanin synthesis in Arabidopsis, tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) plants and green blueberry fruits. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and transient expression experiments showed that VcMYB1 binds to the MYB binding site on the promoter of the structural gene for anthocyanin synthesis, VcMYB1 to positively regulate the transcription of VcDFR, thereby promoting anthocyanin synthesis. We also performed an in-depth investigation of transcriptional regulation of anthocyanin synthesis. This study provides background information and data for studying the synthetic pathways of flavonoids and other secondary metabolites in blueberries.
Collapse
|
19
|
Savadi S, Mangalassery S, Sandesh MS. Advances in genomics and genome editing for breeding next generation of fruit and nut crops. Genomics 2021; 113:3718-3734. [PMID: 34517092 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Fruit tree crops are an essential part of the food production systems and are key to achieve food and nutrition security. Genetic improvement of fruit trees by conventional breeding has been slow due to the long juvenile phase. Advancements in genomics and molecular biology have paved the way for devising novel genetic improvement tools like genome editing, which can accelerate the breeding of these perennial crops to a great extent. In this article, advancements in genomics of fruit trees covering genome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, genome editing technologies (GET), CRISPR-Cas system based genome editing, potential applications of CRISPR-Cas9 in fruit tree crops improvement, the factors influencing the CRISPR-Cas editing efficiency and the challenges for CRISPR-Cas9 applications in fruit tree crops improvement are reviewed. Besides, base editing, a recently emerging more precise editing system, and the future perspectives of genome editing in the improvement of fruit and nut crops are covered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siddanna Savadi
- ICAR- Directorate of Cashew Research (DCR), Puttur 574 202, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.
| | | | - M S Sandesh
- ICAR- Directorate of Cashew Research (DCR), Puttur 574 202, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wu C, Deng C, Hilario E, Albert NW, Lafferty D, Grierson ERP, Plunkett BJ, Elborough C, Saei A, Günther CS, Ireland H, Yocca A, Edger PP, Jaakola L, Karppinen K, Grande A, Kylli R, Lehtola VP, Allan AC, Espley RV, Chagné D. A chromosome-scale assembly of the bilberry genome identifies a complex locus controlling berry anthocyanin composition. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 22:345-360. [PMID: 34260155 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) belongs to the Vaccinium genus, which includes blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) and cranberry (V. macrocarpon). Unlike its cultivated relatives, bilberry remains largely undomesticated, with berry harvesting almost entirely from the wild. As such, it represents an ideal target for genomic analysis, providing comparisons with the domesticated Vaccinium species. Bilberry is prized for its taste and health properties and has provided essential nutrition for Northern European indigenous populations. It contains high concentrations of phytonutrients, with perhaps the most important being the purple colored anthocyanins, found in both skin and flesh. Here, we present the first bilberry genome assembly, comprising 12 pseudochromosomes assembled using Oxford Nanopore (ONT) and Hi-C Technologies. The pseudochromosomes represent 96.6% complete BUSCO genes with an assessed LAI score of 16.3, showing a high conservation of synteny against the blueberry genome. Kmer analysis showed an unusual third peak, indicating the sequenced samples may have been from two individuals. The alternate alleles were purged so that the final assembly represents only one haplotype. A total of 36,404 genes were annotated after nearly 48% of the assembly was masked to remove repeats. To illustrate the genome quality, we describe the complex MYBA locus, and identify the key regulating MYB genes that determine anthocyanin production. The new bilberry genome builds on the genomic resources and knowledge of Vaccinium species, to help understand the genetics underpinning some of the quality attributes that breeding programs aspire to improve. The high conservation of synteny between bilberry and blueberry genomes means that comparative genome mapping can be applied to transfer knowledge about marker-trait association between these two species, as the loci involved in key characters are orthologous.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wu
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand.,Genomics Aotearoa, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Cecilia Deng
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand.,Genomics Aotearoa, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Elena Hilario
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand.,Genomics Aotearoa, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Declan Lafferty
- PFR, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Blue J Plunkett
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Caitlin Elborough
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ali Saei
- BioLumic Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Catrin S Günther
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Hilary Ireland
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alan Yocca
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.,Department of Horticultural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Patrick P Edger
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Laura Jaakola
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,NIBIO, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Katja Karppinen
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Ritva Kylli
- History, Culture and Communication studies, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Andrew C Allan
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard V Espley
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR), Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David Chagné
- Genomics Aotearoa, Dunedin, New Zealand.,PFR, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|