A deep dive into pucai's genome: New insights into wetland adaptation and vegetal qualit
image: Phenotypes and growing environment of Pucai. (A): Phenotypes of Pucai. (B): Growing environment of Pucai. (C): Pseudostem of Pucai.
Credit: Horticulture Research
Pucai (Typha angustifolia L.), a unique semiaquatic vegetable, is recognized for its high-quality traits, including lignin and chlorophyll content. This study presents the first high-quality, telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome of Pucai, offering new insights into its adaptation to wetland ecosystems. The genome provides valuable genetic resources for understanding lignin and chlorophyll biosynthesis pathways. Through detailed genomic analyses, gene families linked to these essential traits were identified, offering a potential pathway for improving Pucai's nutritional and commercial value. These findings pave the way for future molecular breeding efforts aimed at enhancing Pucai cultivation.
Pucai has been historically cultivated for its edible pseudostems, which are rich in nutrients and widely consumed in China. Despite its agricultural importance, research on the genetic basis of key traits like lignin and chlorophyll synthesis has been limited. The availability of a comprehensive genome sequence is critical to unlocking the genetic mechanisms underpinning these traits. Recent advancements in sequencing technologies have made it possible to generate a gapless genome assembly for Pucai, allowing researchers to explore its genetic diversity and provide deeper insights into its evolutionary adaptations. Based on these challenges, a deeper investigation into Pucai’s genome and trait regulation is necessary.
The research team from Nanjing Agricultural University recently published (DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhaf079) a comprehensive telomere-to-telomere genome of Typha angustifolia L. in Horticulture Research (March 2025). The genome, with a size of 207.00 Mb, was assembled using a combination of PacBio HiFi and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing, complemented by Hi-C data. This new resource provides crucial insights into the genetic regulation of lignin and chlorophyll biosynthesis, which are key quality traits for Pucai, and will help guide future breeding programs aimed at enhancing this vegetable’s commercial and nutritional value.
The team employed cutting-edge sequencing technologies to generate a high-quality T2T genome of Pucai. This assembly, featuring a contig N50 of 13.73 Mb, reveals key insights into the plant's genetic architecture. Notably, the genome includes over 22,400 genes, with specific families expanded for lignin biosynthesis and disease resistance. By identifying 99 structural genes associated with lignin biosynthesis and 39 related to chlorophyll production, the study highlights pathways crucial to Pucai's adaptation to wetland environments. Moreover, the research identified a unique whole-genome duplication (WGD) event in the Typhaceae family, which may contribute to Pucai's slow evolutionary rate and ecological resilience.
The study also highlighted significant genomic variations between Typha angustifolia and other species within the genus. These findings are key to understanding Pucai’s genetic diversity and provide important clues for its breeding potential. The genome-wide analysis also confirmed the presence of critical centromeric and telomeric regions, providing a complete chromosomal map. These results lay a strong foundation for future genomic studies, particularly those focused on the enhancement of Pucai’s agronomic traits.
“This study represents a pivotal advancement in understanding the genetic foundation of Pucai, a plant of both ecological and commercial importance,” said Dr. Ai-Sheng Xiong, the lead researcher. “By providing a high-quality, gapless genome, we now have a comprehensive tool to explore the genetic mechanisms of lignin and chlorophyll biosynthesis. This resource not only enhances our understanding of Pucai’s biology but also offers a blueprint for future breeding efforts to improve this valuable vegetable for both nutrition and market potential.”
The newly assembled T2T genome of Pucai opens up numerous opportunities for molecular breeding and the genetic improvement of this important wetland vegetable. By identifying genes responsible for lignin and chlorophyll biosynthesis, the research provides actionable insights into how these traits can be enhanced for better crop quality. This genomic resource is expected to be a valuable tool in developing new Pucai varieties with improved texture, color, and disease resistance, ultimately contributing to the sustainable cultivation of Pucai. Furthermore, the genome serves as a critical reference for future research in monocot genomics and plant adaptation mechanisms in wetland environments.
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References
DOI
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhaf079
Funding information
This article was supported by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions Project (PAPD), Coordinated Extension of Major Agricultural Technologies Program of Jiangsu (2022-ZYXT-01-3).
About Horticulture Research
Horticulture Research is an open access journal of Nanjing Agricultural University and ranked number one in the Horticulture category of the Journal Citation Reports ™ from Clarivate, 2023. The journal is committed to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, comments, correspondence articles and letters to the editor related to all major horticultural plants and disciplines, including biotechnology, breeding, cellular and molecular biology, evolution, genetics, inter-species interactions, physiology, and the origination and domestication of crops.