Researchers find genetiv variability in camelina that could bood production

In China, camelina sativa, also known as false-flax, is gaining attention as a biofuel crop due to its potential for aviation fuel production and minimal agricultural input requirements. However, the genetic foundation of this species has been underexplored. Despite its ancient cultivation history, Camelina’s relatively low genetic diversity has hindered breeding programs aimed at improving its yield and stress tolerance. Recent genomic advancements have provided a clearer picture of the crop’s population structure and subgenome composition, offering fresh insights for breeding and biotechnology.

Published in Horticulture Research, the study by Brock et al. (2024) uncovers new genetic insights into C. sativa, focusing on its subgenome structure and expression patterns. By analyzing a comprehensive diversity panel, the researchers reveal the degree of subgenome dominance and genetic variability across Camelina populations. Their findings, based on the new high-quality Suneson genome, provide crucial information for breeding programs aimed at improving this crop’s performance in biofuel production and agriculture.
The research utilized advanced genome sequencing to investigate the genetic diversity and subgenome expression of C. sativa. Through the assembly of the Suneson variety genome using PacBio HiFi sequencing, the study identifies three distinct subgenomes and provides an enhanced reference for future genomic studies. The researchers found that despite the overall low genetic diversity, there were 13 distinct subpopulations, including two wild populations. Notably, the SG3 subgenome, which is associated with the C. hispida progenitor, exhibited lower genetic diversity but was more dominant in flower, flower bud, and fruit tissues, critical for the crop’s yield. This study also highlighted the presence of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in SG3, suggesting its potential role in regulating stress tolerance. These findings challenge previous assumptions about subgenome dominance and provide a more nuanced understanding of Camelina’s genetic architecture. The discovery that subgenome dominance is tissue-dependent has important implications for breeding strategies, particularly in targeting floral and fruit tissues for enhanced yield.