Resequencing of global Tartary buckwheat accessions reveals multiple domestication events and key loci associated with agronomic traits

Abstract

Background Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) is a nutritionally balanced and flavonoid-rich crop plant that has been in cultivation for 4000 years and is now grown globally. Despite its nutraceutical and agricultural value, the characterization of its genetics and its domestication history is limited. Results Here, we report a comprehensive database of Tartary buckwheat genomic variation based on whole-genome resequencing of 510 germplasms. Our analysis suggests that two independent domestication events occurred in southwestern and northern China, resulting in diverse characteristics of modern Tartary buckwheat varieties. Genome-wide association studies for important agricultural traits identify several candidate genes, including FtUFGT3 and FtAP2YT1 that significantly correlate with flavonoid accumulation and grain weight, respectively. Conclusions We describe the domestication history of Tartary buckwheat and provide a detailed resource of genomic variation to allow for genomic-assisted breeding in the improvement of elite cultivars.

The Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequences of Eight Fagopyrum Species: Insights Into Genome Evolution and Phylogenetic Relationships

“…F. longistylum , a self-compatible but heteromorphic species, was a very rare phenomenon in plants. In addition, F. urophyllum , contained semi-woody branches and perennial rhizomes, which are considered as transitional species from herbaceous to woody plants ( Ohnishi and Matsuoka, 1996 ; Zhang et al, 2021b ).…”

FtBPM3 modulates the orchestration of FtMYB11‐mediated flavonoids biosynthesis in Tartary buckwheat

“…Recently, we reported genome re‐sequencing data of 510 TB accessions and genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of three main flavanols, among which the kaempferol‐3‐ O ‐rutinoside (KC) is stable and less affected by environmental factors compared with quercetin and rutin (Zhang et al, 2021). Four associated loci passing the threshold P < 1 × 10 −5 were identified, and three associated loci repetitively in two years (Figure 1a).…”

Tartary Buckwheat in Human Nutrition

“…Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) originated in western China [1], and it is grown in mountain areas of China, Bhutan, northern India, and Nepal [2,3]. In the same countries in regions with less harsh climatic conditions, Tartary buckwheat is grown along with common buckwheat (Figure 1).…”

“…The genus Fagopyrum includes 21 species [1,10]. Two of these, Fagopyrum esculentum and F. tataricum, are used in human nutrition, and the wild species Fagopyrum cymosum is used in traditional Chinese human and veterinary medicines.…”