December 2, 2024

 

Chinese and Australian scientists discover "genetic code" behind wheat's environmental adaptations

A collaborative effort between Chinese and Australian scientists has shed light on the genomic basis for the co-evolution of wheat varieties with their habitats and food culture.

 

The study, which focused on the genomic architecture and evolutionary footprints of Chinese wheat cultivars, represents a significant step in understanding and improving wheat breeding.

 

The research was conducted by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), China Agricultural University, Murdoch University in Australia, and other institutions. The findings were recently published in the journal Nature.

 

The study highlights the creation of a comprehensive wheat pan-genome and its application in improving wheat varieties, underscoring China's leadership in global wheat research. Wheat, being the second-largest food crop in China, benefits from a robust breeding system and extensive pedigree records. The research explores the genomic footprints of wheat cultivars, paving the way for future breeding advancements that could bolster wheat production in China.

 

By assembling representative Chinese wheat cultivars, the researchers developed a wheat pan-genome that uncovers structural variations and their dynamic role in adapting wheat to diverse habitats and food culture.

 

"To capture the genomic diversity of common wheat cultivars representing the breeding history spanning 70 years in China, we selected 17 cultivars for de novo genome assembly," said Zhang Xueyong, a wheat scientist at CAAS.

 

Zhang noted that the study offers valuable genetic resources for genomics-assisted breeding improvements in wheat. It also reveals how structural variations affect wheat's adaptation and breeding, providing strategies for integrating and utilising global germplasm resources in future breeding initiatives.

 

Liu Xu, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, highlighted the study's role in advancing crop germplasm research in China into the big data era. The findings will accelerate the discovery and utilisation of important genes in crop breeding.

 

The study deciphers the "genetic code" that underpins wheat's adaptation to a wide range of environments and its quality traits. According to Sun Qixin, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the research provides vital genomic support and theoretical guidance for intelligent design breeding, furthering wheat improvement efforts.

 

-      Xinhua News