Population Structure, Genetic Diversity and Candidate Genes for the Adaptation to Environmental Stress in Picea koraiensis

Abstract

Picea koraiensis is major silvicultural and timber species in northeast China, and its distribution area is an important transition zone for genus spruce migration. The degree of intraspecific differentiation of P. koraiensis is high, but population structure and differentiation mechanisms are not clear. In this study, 523,761 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in 113 individuals from 9 populations of P. koraiensis by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). Population genomic analysis showed that P. koraiensis was divided into three geoclimatic regions: Great Khingan Mountains climatic region, Lesser Khingan Mountains climatic region, and Changbai Mountain climatic region. Mengkeshan (MKS) population on the northern edge of the distribution area and Wuyiling (WYL) population located in the mining area are two highly differentiated groups. Selective sweep analysis showed that MKS and WYL populations had 645 and 1126 selected genes, respectively. Genes selected in the MKS population were associated with flowering and photomorphogenesis, cellular response to water deficit, and glycerophospholipid metabolism; genes selected in the WYL population were associated with metal ion transport, biosynthesis of macromolecules, and DNA repair. Climatic factors and heavy metal stress drives divergence in MKS and WYL populations, respectively. Our findings provide insights into adaptive divergence mechanisms in Picea and will contribute to molecular breeding studies.

Adaptive divergence, historical population dynamics, and simulation of suitable distributions for Picea Meyeri and P. Mongolica at the whole-genome level

“…With P. meyeri as the reference, genes related to stomatal regulation, such as KIN10A [ 82 ]; drought or cold stress, such as SRP , RGGA , and HXK2 [ 83 – 85 ]; and vascular plant seed germination and fruit ripening, such as PME [ 86 ], were found in P. mongolica , indicating that these selectively swept genes enable better adaptation to sandy environments and contributed to its evolution into an independent species within the genus Picea . Other researchers have also identified genes related to stomatal regulation, flowering (in angiosperms), and stress resistance among the genes showing evidence of selective sweeps in P. asperata , P. crassifolia , P. wilsonii , and P. koraiensis [ 58 , 87 , 88 ]. Throughout history, the habitat of the genus Picea has undergone significant changes due to geological events and climate fluctuations [ 89 ], resulting in new selection pressures.…”

Nonlinear model prediction of needle chlorophyll content of Picea koraiensis Nakai at different needle ages based on hyperspectral features

“…These resources play an important role in the sustainable development of forestry and the advancement of biological genetic engineering (Priyanka et al, 2021). Among the valuable coniferous evergreen tree species in the forest region of Northeast China, P. koraiensis Nakai is considered to be instrumental in restoring forest ecosystems, maintaining ecological balance, and providing industrial materials (Wang et al, 2023).…”