Chromosome-scale genome assembly provides insights into rye biology, evolution and agronomic potential

Nat Genet. 2021 Apr;53(4):564-573. doi: 10.1038/s41588-021-00807-0. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Abstract

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is an exceptionally climate-resilient cereal crop, used extensively to produce improved wheat varieties via introgressive hybridization and possessing the entire repertoire of genes necessary to enable hybrid breeding. Rye is allogamous and only recently domesticated, thus giving cultivated ryes access to a diverse and exploitable wild gene pool. To further enhance the agronomic potential of rye, we produced a chromosome-scale annotated assembly of the 7.9-gigabase rye genome and extensively validated its quality by using a suite of molecular genetic resources. We demonstrate applications of this resource with a broad range of investigations. We present findings on cultivated rye's incomplete genetic isolation from wild relatives, mechanisms of genome structural evolution, pathogen resistance, low-temperature tolerance, fertility control systems for hybrid breeding and the yield benefits of rye-wheat introgressions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / genetics
  • Chromosome Mapping / methods*
  • Crops, Agricultural / genetics
  • Crops, Agricultural / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genetic Introgression
  • Genome, Plant*
  • Karyotype
  • Plant Breeding / methods*
  • Plant Immunity / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / genetics*
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Secale / genetics*
  • Secale / immunology
  • Stress, Physiological
  • Triticum / genetics*

Substances

  • Plant Proteins