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Ramírez Gonzales LY, Cannarozzi G, Jäggi L, Assefa K, Chanyalew S, Dell'Acqua M, Tadele Z. The role of omics in improving the orphan crop tef. Trends Genet 2024; 40:449-461. [PMID: 38599921 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Tef or teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is a cereal crop indigenous to the Horn of Africa, where it is a staple food for a large population. The popularity of tef arises from its resilience to environmental stresses and its nutritional value. For many years, tef has been considered an orphan crop, but recent research initiatives from across the globe are helping to unravel its undisclosed potential. Advanced omics tools and techniques have been directed toward the exploration of tef's diversity with the aim of increasing its productivity. In this review, we report on the most recent advances in tef omics that brought the crop into the spotlight of international research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gina Cannarozzi
- University of Bern, Institute of Plant Sciences, Altenbergrain 21, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lea Jäggi
- University of Bern, Institute of Plant Sciences, Altenbergrain 21, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kebebew Assefa
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, PO Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | - Solomon Chanyalew
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, PO Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | | | - Zerihun Tadele
- University of Bern, Institute of Plant Sciences, Altenbergrain 21, 3013 Bern, Switzerland.
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Zhang T, Huang W, Zhang L, Li DZ, Qi J, Ma H. Phylogenomic profiles of whole-genome duplications in Poaceae and landscape of differential duplicate retention and losses among major Poaceae lineages. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3305. [PMID: 38632270 PMCID: PMC11024178 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47428-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Poaceae members shared a whole-genome duplication called rho. However, little is known about the evolutionary pattern of the rho-derived duplicates among Poaceae lineages and implications in adaptive evolution. Here we present phylogenomic/phylotranscriptomic analyses of 363 grasses covering all 12 subfamilies and report nine previously unknown whole-genome duplications. Furthermore, duplications from a single whole-genome duplication were mapped to multiple nodes on the species phylogeny; a whole-genome duplication was likely shared by woody bamboos with possible gene flow from herbaceous bamboos; and recent paralogues of a tetraploid Oryza are implicated in tolerance of seawater submergence. Moreover, rho duplicates showing differential retention among subfamilies include those with functions in environmental adaptations or morphogenesis, including ACOT for aquatic environments (Oryzoideae), CK2β for cold responses (Pooideae), SPIRAL1 for rapid cell elongation (Bambusoideae), and PAI1 for drought/cold responses (Panicoideae). This study presents a Poaceae whole-genome duplication profile with evidence for multiple evolutionary mechanisms that contribute to gene retention and losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taikui Zhang
- Department of Biology, the Eberly College of Science, and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, PA, 16802, USA
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Weichen Huang
- Department of Biology, the Eberly College of Science, and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Lin Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - De-Zhu Li
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
| | - Ji Qi
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Hong Ma
- Department of Biology, the Eberly College of Science, and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, PA, 16802, USA.
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Tesfa D, Feyissa T, Assefa K. Genetic diversity and population structure of selected tef core germplasm lines based on microsatellite markers. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:8603-8613. [PMID: 37653359 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08732-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tef is an indigenous and important food, feed, and cash crop for smallholder Ethiopian farmers. Knowledge of the natural genetic composition of the crop provides the option to further exploit its genetic potential through breeding. However, there are insufficient reports on the genetic variability of Ethiopian tef using a medium-throughput marker system. Hence, the current study was designed to evaluate the genetic variability of released and core germplasm that was collected earlier. METHODS AND RESULTS Eighty-one tef genotypes collected from eight Ethiopian ecological zones and released varieties were targeted using 14 SSR markers. The study yielded a total of 122 alleles across the entire locus and population. The molecular variance analysis indicated the existence of large genetic differentiation (FIS and FIT = 0.87), with 86% and 13% of the total variation accounted for among genotypes within the population and across all genotypes used for this study, respectively. However, low genetic differentiation among the populations (FST = 0.014, which accounts for 1%) was observed. Multivariate analyses such as clustering and PCoA did not cluster genotypes into distinct groups according to their geographical areas of population. This is presumably due to gene flow among populations. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our findings show that there is significant genetic diversity within populations, particularly in the Jimma, Tigray, and released varieties, as well as the presence of private alleles and heterozygosity. The study also indicates the existence of genotypic admixture in the studied materials. The identification of private alleles and their differentiation will be helpful in selecting breeding materials and creating breeding plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derejaw Tesfa
- Debereziet Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Abeba University, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
| | - Tileye Feyissa
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Abeba University, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
| | - Kebebew Assefa
- Debereziet Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
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Hutang GR, Tong Y, Zhu XG, Gao LZ. Genome size variation and polyploidy prevalence in the genus Eragrostis are associated with the global dispersal in arid area. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1066925. [PMID: 36993864 PMCID: PMC10040770 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1066925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biologists have long debated the drivers of the genome size evolution and variation ever since Darwin. Assumptions for the adaptive or maladaptive consequences of the associations between genome sizes and environmental factors have been proposed, but the significance of these hypotheses remains controversial. Eragrostis is a large genus in the grass family and is often used as crop or forage during the dry seasons. The wide range and complex ploidy levels make Eragrostis an excellent model for investigating how the genome size variation and evolution is associated with environmental factors and how these changes can ben interpreted. METHODS We reconstructed the Eragrostis phylogeny and estimated genome sizes through flow cytometric analyses. Phylogenetic comparative analyses were performed to explore how genome size variation and evolution is related to their climatic niches and geographical ranges. The genome size evolution and environmental factors were examined using different models to study the phylogenetic signal, mode and tempo throughout evolutionary history. RESULTS Our results support the monophyly of Eragrostis. The genome sizes in Eragrostis ranged from ~0.66 pg to ~3.80 pg. We found that a moderate phylogenetic conservatism existed in terms of the genome sizes but was absent from environmental factors. In addition, phylogeny-based associations revealed close correlations between genome sizes and precipitation-related variables, indicating that the genome size variation mainly caused by polyploidization may have evolved as an adaptation to various environments in the genus Eragrostis. CONCLUSION This is the first study to take a global perspective on the genome size variation and evolution in the genus Eragrostis. Our results suggest that the adaptation and conservatism are manifested in the genome size variation, allowing the arid species of Eragrostis to spread the xeric area throughout the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge-Ran Hutang
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species in Southwestern China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Tong
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species in Southwestern China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xun-Ge Zhu
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species in Southwestern China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Zhi Gao
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species in Southwestern China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Engineering Research Center for Selecting and Breeding New Tropical Crop Varieties, Ministry of Education, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
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A comparative genomics examination of desiccation tolerance and sensitivity in two sister grass species. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2118886119. [PMID: 35082155 PMCID: PMC8812550 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2118886119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This is a significant sister group contrast comparative study of the underpinning genomics and evolution of desiccation tolerance (DT), a critical trait in the evolution of land plants. Our results revealed that the DT grass Sporobolus stapfianus is transcriptionally primed to tolerate a dehydration/desiccation event and that the desiccation response in the DT S. stapfianus is distinct from the water stress response of the desiccation-sensitive Sporobolus pyramidalis. Our results also show that the desiccation response is largely unique, indicating a recent evolution of this trait within the angiosperms, and that inhibition of senescence during dehydration is likely critical in rendering a plant desiccation tolerant. Desiccation tolerance is an ancient and complex trait that spans all major lineages of life on earth. Although important in the evolution of land plants, the mechanisms that underlay this complex trait are poorly understood, especially for vegetative desiccation tolerance (VDT). The lack of suitable closely related plant models that offer a direct contrast between desiccation tolerance and sensitivity has hampered progress. We have assembled high-quality genomes for two closely related grasses, the desiccation-tolerant Sporobolus stapfianus and the desiccation-sensitive Sporobolus pyramidalis. Both species are complex polyploids; S. stapfianus is primarily tetraploid, and S. pyramidalis is primarily hexaploid. S. pyramidalis undergoes a major transcriptome remodeling event during initial exposure to dehydration, while S. stapfianus has a muted early response, with peak remodeling during the transition between 1.5 and 1.0 grams of water (gH2O) g−1 dry weight (dw). Functionally, the dehydration transcriptome of S. stapfianus is unrelated to that for S. pyramidalis. A comparative analysis of the transcriptomes of the hydrated controls for each species indicated that S. stapfianus is transcriptionally primed for desiccation. Cross-species comparative analyses indicated that VDT likely evolved from reprogramming of desiccation tolerance mechanisms that evolved in seeds and that the tolerance mechanism of S. stapfianus represents a recent evolution for VDT within the Chloridoideae. Orthogroup analyses of the significantly differentially abundant transcripts reconfirmed our present understanding of the response to dehydration, including the lack of an induction of senescence in resurrection angiosperms. The data also suggest that failure to maintain protein structure during dehydration is likely critical in rendering a plant desiccation sensitive.
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Ferreira RCU, da Costa Lima Moraes A, Chiari L, Simeão RM, Vigna BBZ, de Souza AP. An Overview of the Genetics and Genomics of the Urochloa Species Most Commonly Used in Pastures. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:770461. [PMID: 34966402 PMCID: PMC8710810 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.770461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pastures based on perennial monocotyledonous plants are the principal source of nutrition for ruminant livestock in tropical and subtropical areas across the globe. The Urochloa genus comprises important species used in pastures, and these mainly include Urochloa brizantha, Urochloa decumbens, Urochloa humidicola, and Urochloa ruziziensis. Despite their economic relevance, there is an absence of genomic-level information for these species, and this lack is mainly due to genomic complexity, including polyploidy, high heterozygosity, and genomes with a high repeat content, which hinders advances in molecular approaches to genetic improvement. Next-generation sequencing techniques have enabled the recent release of reference genomes, genetic linkage maps, and transcriptome sequences, and this information helps improve our understanding of the genetic architecture and molecular mechanisms involved in relevant traits, such as the apomictic reproductive mode. However, more concerted research efforts are still needed to characterize germplasm resources and identify molecular markers and genes associated with target traits. In addition, the implementation of genomic selection and gene editing is needed to reduce the breeding time and expenditure. In this review, we highlight the importance and characteristics of the four main species of Urochloa used in pastures and discuss the current findings from genetic and genomic studies and research gaps that should be addressed in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aline da Costa Lima Moraes
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Lucimara Chiari
- Embrapa Gado de Corte, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Maria Simeão
- Embrapa Gado de Corte, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | | | - Anete Pereira de Souza
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (CBMEG), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Plant Biology, Biology Institute, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
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Mulat MW, Sinha VB. Distribution and abundance of CREs in the promoters depicts crosstalk by WRKYs in Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Troetter]. GENE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Genetic relationship and nuclear dna content variation in Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] accessions. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:4455-4463. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05537-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Chanyalew S, Ferede S, Damte T, Fikre T, Genet Y, Kebede W, Tolossa K, Tadele Z, Assefa K. Significance and prospects of an orphan crop tef. PLANTA 2019; 250:753-767. [PMID: 31222492 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-019-03209-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Tef is a resilient crop from the Horn of Africa with significant importance in food and nutrition security, and currently gaining global popularity as health and performance food. Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is the most important cereal of Ethiopia in terms of production, consumption and cash crop value. In Ethiopia, tef is annually grown on about 3 million ha with total grain production of over 5 million tons. As such, it accounts for about 30% of the total cultivated area and one-fifth of the gross grain production of all cereals cultivated in the country. In spite of its supreme economic and agricultural significance in Ethiopia, its productivity is relatively low with national average yield of about 1.7 t/ha. This has primarily been due to the very little scientific improvement done on the crop. Tef has still been an "orphan crop" since it is globally a very much under-researched crop owing to its localized importance. Scientific research on tef in Ethiopia began in the late 1950s. The main objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the significance and major production constraints of tef, and the major achievements made to date in various tef research aspects including breeding, agronomy, crop protection, and agricultural economics and extension. Based on these reviews, the paper eventually concludes with remarks on the way forward by emphasizing on the identification of the major gaps and the improvement efforts required for realizing the ever-needed breakthrough in the productivity and production of the crop. The major focal areas of future efforts include increasing productivity of both grain and biomass, systematic conservation and mining of the genetic resources, tackling the lodging malady, mechanization of the crop's husbandry, understanding the overall physiology of the crop especially with respect to stress tolerance, unraveling the nutritional qualities, and development of recipes and value-added products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Chanyalew
- Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | - Setotaw Ferede
- Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | - Tebkew Damte
- Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | - Tsion Fikre
- Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | - Yazachew Genet
- Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | - Worku Kebede
- Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | - Kidist Tolossa
- Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | - Zerihun Tadele
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kebebew Assefa
- Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 32, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
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Tadele Z. Orphan crops: their importance and the urgency of improvement. PLANTA 2019; 250:677-694. [PMID: 31190115 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-019-03210-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Due to significant contributions of orphan crops in the economy of the developing world, scientific studies need to be promoted on these little researched but vital crops of smallholder farmers and consumers. Food security is the main challenge in the developing world, particularly in the least developed countries. Orphan crops play a vital role in the food security and livelihood of resource-poor farmers and consumers in these countries. Like major crops, there are members of all food types-cereals, legumes, vegetables and root and tuber crops, that are considered to be orphan crops. Despite their huge importance for present and future agriculture, orphan crops have generally received little attention by the global scientific community. Due to this, they produce inferior yields in terms of both quantity and quality. The major bottlenecks affecting the productivity of these crops are little or no selection of improved genetic traits, extreme environmental conditions and unfavorable policy. However, some orphan crops have recently received the attention of the global and national scientific community where advanced research and development initiatives have been launched. These initiatives which implement a variety of genetic and genomic tools targeted major constraints affecting productivity and/or nutritional quality of orphan crops. In this paper, some of these initiatives are briefly described. Here, I provide key suggestions to relevant stakeholders regarding improvement of orphan crops. Concerted efforts are urgently needed to advance the research and development of both the major and orphan crops so that food security will be achieved and ultimately the livelihood of the population will be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zerihun Tadele
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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