Novel Genomic Resources for the Polyploid Forage Grass Eragrostis curvula

CARBALLO J; GALLO C; SELVA JP; GARBUS I; ZAPPACOSTA D; SANTOS B; ALBERTINI E; WERE V; TALBOT N; MOSCOU MJ; CACCAMO M; ECHENIQUE V

San Diego

Conferencia; Plant and Animal Conference; 2020

Scherago International

Eragrostis is a polyphyletic genus with more than 400 species originated from Africa and now distributed in tropical and mid-warm season regions all over the world. Weeping love grass (E. curvula) is an apomictic C4 grass from this genus used as forage in marginal areas due to its resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The basic chromosome number of this grass is X=10 with ploidy levels ranging from 2x to 8x. E. curvula has been classified as an orphan, or underutilized crop and despite its importance, few investigations have been performed on this species. We have generated sequencing data for genome, transcriptome and miRNA libraries obtained from different accessions. Three genomes have been sequenced, one diploid sexual and two apomictic tetraploids and the first high density linkage map for the species was obtained following a genotyping-by-sequencing (GbS). Functional analysis of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying apomixis were initiated through the sequencing of diverse miRNA libraries and transcriptomes. Finally, 17 accessions were sequenced through RNA-seq to discover NLR diversity and the identification of resistance genes involved in resistance to blast (Magnaporthe oryzae).We have produced different genomic resources for this species which we have used to advance our understanding of the mechanisms involved in diplosporous apomixis as well as the identification of resistance genes for blast. Collectively, these resources contribute to the transition of E. curvula from orphan to well-characterized species