International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, ICBA, P.O. Box 14660, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Planta. 2024 Oct 23;260(6):124. doi: 10.1007/s00425-024-04551-7.
The chromosome-level genome assembly of Citrullus colocynthis reveals its genetic potential for enhancing drought tolerance, paving the way for innovative crop improvement strategies. This study presents the first comprehensive genome assembly and annotation of Citrullus colocynthis, a drought-tolerant wild close relative of cultivated watermelon, highlighting its potential for enhancing agricultural resilience to climate change. The study achieved a chromosome-level assembly using advanced sequencing technologies, including PacBio HiFi and Hi-C, revealing a genome size of approximately 366 Mb with low heterozygosity and substantial repetitive content. Our analysis identified 23,327 gene models, that could encode stress response mechanisms for species' adaptation to arid environments. Comparative genomics with closely related species illuminated the evolutionary dynamics within the Cucurbitaceae family. In addition, resequencing of 27 accessions from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) identified genetic diversity, suggesting a foundation for future breeding programs. This genomic resource opens new avenues for the de novo domestication of C. colocynthis, offering a blueprint for developing crops with enhanced drought tolerance, disease resistance, and nutritional profiles, crucial for sustaining future food security in the face of escalating climate challenges.
厚皮甜瓜的染色体水平基因组组装揭示了其增强耐旱性的遗传潜力，为创新作物改良策略铺平了道路。本研究首次全面组装和注释了厚皮甜瓜的基因组，厚皮甜瓜是一种耐旱的野生近缘种，与栽培西瓜有关，突出了其增强农业对气候变化适应能力的潜力。该研究使用先进的测序技术，包括 PacBio HiFi 和 Hi-C，实现了染色体水平的组装，基因组大小约为 366 Mb，杂合度低，重复序列含量高。我们的分析鉴定了 23327 个基因模型，这些模型可能编码了物种适应干旱环境的应激反应机制。与近缘物种的比较基因组学揭示了葫芦科家族内的进化动态。此外，对来自阿拉伯联合酋长国（UAE）的 27 个样本的重测序鉴定了遗传多样性，为未来的育种计划提供了基础。这个基因组资源为厚皮甜瓜的从头驯化开辟了新途径，为开发具有增强耐旱性、抗病性和营养特性的作物提供了蓝图，这对于应对日益严峻的气候挑战，确保未来的粮食安全至关重要。
