Location: Crop Improvement and Genetics Research
Project Number: 2030-21430-015-002-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2021
End Date: Jul 31, 2025
Objective:
The objectives of this cooperative research project are to: 1) Produce a high quality sequence of the Aegilops markgrafii C genome through the integration of cutting edge technologies for generation of long reads, contigs/scaffolds assembly, anchoring of contigs/scaffolds to the chromosomes, and gene annotation, 2) Determine the homoploid speciation of Ae. markgrafii by evaluating structural rearrangement of C genome and comparison with wheat and its A- and D-genome progenitors. The resources generated and knowledge gained from this project will facilitate the development of useful genetic resources of Aegilops markgrafii for improvement of important traits in wheat.
Approach:
Aegilops markgrafii (2n = 2x = 14, genome CC) is a diploid wild relative of wheat with rearranged genome that is distinct from those in wheat and most of the other Triticeae species. Several studies showed that this species is an excellent source of resistance to several wheat diseases and insects, including rusts, powdery mildew, and Hessian fly. Gene transfers to wheat originating from different Ae. markgrafii accessions were previously conducted in several studies. One of the studied accessions originated from S740-69 and a set of six disomic addition lines for chromosomes 2C through 7C derived from S740-69 in a wheat variety ‘Alcedo’ background was produced. To understand the karyotype evolution of C genome and homoploid speciation in Ae. markgrafii for gene discovery and wheat improvement, we plan to develop a reference-quality sequence for Ae. markgrafii accession S740-69 using the approach we used to develop the reference genome of Ae. tauschii accession AL8/78.
