Population genomics uncovers loci for trait improvement in the indigenous African cereal tef (Eragrostis tef)

Communications Biology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 8(1)

Опубликована: Май 26, 2025

Abstract Tef ( Eragrostis tef ) is an indigenous African cereal that gaining global attention as a gluten-free “superfood” with high protein, mineral, and fibre contents. However, yields are limited by lodging losses during harvest owing to its small grain size (150× lighter than wheat). Breeders must also consider strong cultural preference for white-grained over brown-grained varieties. relatively understudied “omics” resources. Here, we resequence 220 accessions from Ethiopian diversity collection perform multi-locational phenotyping 25 agronomic traits. Grain metabolome profiling reveals differential accumulation of fatty acids flavonoids between white brown grains. k -mer SNP-based genome-wide association uncover important marker-trait associations, including significant 70 kb peak panicle morphology containing the orthologue rice qSH1 —a transcription factor regulating inflorescence in cereals. We observe previously unknown relationship size, colour, acids. These traits highly associated retrotransposon insertions homoeologues TRANSPARENT TESTA 2 , known regulator colour. Our study provides valuable resources research breeding, facilitating development improved cultivars desirable nutritional properties.

Язык: Английский

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improve morphological and yield performance of Eragrostis tef genotypes in Tigray, Ethiopia

Scientific Reports, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 14(1)

Опубликована: Ноя. 29, 2024

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form beneficial partnerships with most plant species, helping to improve crop resilience in tough environmental conditions. This paper analyzed how different genotypes responded AMF inoculation, focusing on root colonization percentage (RCP) and the impact of above-ground agronomic traits. However, RCP alone may not fully explain genotype variation, effects cannot be judged solely research aims explore variation ninety tef under conditions assess affect shoot morphology Genotypes were sorted into six cluster groups, showing varied responsiveness AMF, ranging from 25.03 72.29%. Despite similar RCP, variations morphological traits observed, groups lower exhibited important found those higher indicating indicate variability. Wider Mahalanobis distance (D2) between clusters IV VI, I V VI crucial for developing varieties advancing through hybridization. Among tested genotypes, Wehni Tsaeda zezew, followed by Gureaza, scores height (PH), panicle length (PL), biomass yield (SBY), (RL), specific (SRL) compared Simada. Wehni, Gureaza showed results days maturity (DM), grain (GY), harvest index (HI), dry weight (RDW), depth distribution (RDD) but differed Simada genotype. Moreover, inoculated increased emergence (DPE) 72%, DM 84.11%, PH 73.93%, PL 73.68%, SBY 144.17%, GY 254.58%, HI 133.33%, RL 74.16%, RDW 216.92%, SRL 220%, RDD 93.28% as non-inoculated Improved performance despite variability could because enhances nutrient water uptake increasing growth inherent strategy genotypes. Small-seeded crops planted shallowly benefit which promotes deeper better uptake.

Язык: Английский

Transcriptomic Profile of Tef (Eragrostis tef) in Response to Drought

Plants, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 13(21), С. 3086 - 3086

Опубликована: Ноя. 2, 2024

The threat to world food security posed by drought is ever increasing. Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] an allotetraploid cereal crop that a staple for large population in the Horn of Africa. While grain provides quality humans, its straw most palatable and nutritious feed livestock. In addition, plant resilient several biotic abiotic stresses, especially drought, making it ideal candidate study molecular mechanisms conferring these properties. transcriptome expression leaf collected from plants grown under conditions was profiled using RNA-Seq key genes were verified RT-qPCR. This revealed exhibits complex network involving membrane receptors transcription factors regulate responses. We identified target related hormones like ABA, auxin, brassinosteroids involved antioxidant activity. findings compared physiological measurements such as changes stomatal conductance contents proline, chlorophyll carotenoid. insights gained this work could play vital role enhancing tolerance other economically important cereals maize rice.

Язык: Английский