Research detailing the genome of Tausch’s goatgrass, a wild wheat relative, has been published in Nature and detailed in a Michigan State University news release. The findings could play a key role in improving modern bread wheat varieties, enhancing disease resistance and addressing climate challenges.
A global team of researchers, including Michigan State University wheat geneticist Eric Olson, has mapped the genome of Tausch’s goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii), an annual grass species and a donor of the bread wheat D genome. The study was led by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, and the results were published in Nature in August.
“As defined by Nature, genome refers to, ‘the complete set of genetic information in an organism.’”
Modern bread wheat contains three genomes: A, B and D. The D genome, which hybridized with the A and B genomes roughly 8,000 to 11,000 years ago, played a pivotal role in creating modern wheat but also limited its genetic diversity.
Unlocking Genetic Potential
Eric Olson, an associate professor in the MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, emphasized the importance of this research in enhancing wheat’s genetic traits.
“My colleagues and I cloned a disease resistance gene I identified during my work at Kansas State University,” Olson explained. “As a Ph.D. student, I did the genetic mapping and transferred this gene to modern bread wheat, but it was through this work that we were able to differentiate the gene from others in the same chromosome region and get the actual sequence for this disease resistance gene.”
The study analyzed 493 accessions of Tausch’s goatgrass — genetic material representing specific genotypes collected from diverse regions. This effort resulted in 46 unique genome assemblies that provide critical insights for future research.
Applications for Wheat Breeding
Olson noted that the findings will directly benefit the MSU Wheat Breeding and Genetics Program by enabling targeted trait selection for new wheat varieties.
“This research will help us identify individual genes controlling qualitative traits, including specific resistance to disease or pests,” Olson said in the release. “On top of that, however, these wild wheat relatives have traits that are important for climate resiliency, heat and drought tolerance, and other characteristics critical for modern wheat production.
“Those specific traits weren’t evaluated in this paper, but this paper positions us to use these genomes to unlock those traits in modern bread wheat. Once we bring those genes into wheat, we can start evaluating the effects on qualities like grain yield and biomass production.”
Expanding Wheat’s Genetic Toolbox
By studying the genetic makeup of wild wheat relatives like Tausch’s goatgrass, scientists are tapping into a “genetic reservoir” that could transform wheat breeding. These genetic insights promise to expand the crop’s resilience to environmental stressors while maintaining productivity, helping breeders meet the demands of a changing climate and growing global population.
