Comparative genomic study reveals subgenome diversity and osmotic adaptation loci across Salicornia species, highlighting genetic resources for saltwater agriculture.
Key Points
To resolve subgenome structure, evolutionary relationships, and the genetic architecture underlying extreme salt and osmotic tolerance across Salicornia species.
Generated chromosome-scale genome assemblies for six Salicornia species, reconciling them with two existing reference genomes to correct chromosome numbering and orientation.
Conducted comparative genomic analyses across ploidy levels to examine transposable element dynamics and gene family expansions.
Performed phylogenetic, population-structure, and locus-specific analyses using whole-genome resequencing data from a global panel of 318 Salicornia accessions.
Identified four distinct subgenomes and revealed that genome expansion in North American lineages was driven by Gypsy retrotransposons alongside lineage-specific expansions of two stress-metabolism gene families.
Resolved interspecific evolutionary relationships across the global panel of 318 accessions to establish curated germplasm resources for breeding programs.
Detected contrasting population-genetic signals on chromosome 6A, identifying an OSCA calcium-permeable channel gene as a candidate locus governing osmotic adaptation.