Genomic analyses provide insights into spinach domestication and the genetic basis of agronomic traits

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27432-z
• Publication Date: 2021-12-13T11:04:31Z
• Authors: Xiaofeng Cai; Xuepeng Sun; Chenxi Xu; Honghe Sun; Xiaoli Wang; Chenhui Ge; Zhonghua Zhang; Quanxi Wang; Zhangjun Fei; Chen Jiao; Quanhua Wang
• Keywords: Bolting; Chenopodiaceae; Leafy

Abstract Spinach is a nutritious leafy vegetable belonging to the family Chenopodiaceae. Here we report high-quality chromosome-scale reference genome assembly of spinach and resequencing 305 cultivated wild accessions. Reconstruction ancestral Chenopodiaceae karyotype indicates substantial rearrangements in after its divergence from Chenopodiaceae, coinciding with high repeat content genome. Population genomic analyses provide insights into genetic diversity population differentiation. Genome-wide association studies 20 agronomical traits identify numerous significantly associated regions candidate genes for these traits. Domestication sweeps are identified, some which important (e.g., leaf phenotype, bolting flowering), demonstrating role artificial selection shaping phenotypic evolution. This study provides not only evolution domestication but also valuable resources facilitating breeding.