In a first-of-its-kind study, the scientists at the DBT-Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar have reported a reference-grade whole genome sequence of a highly salt-tolerant and salt-secreting true-mangrove species, Avicennia marina. A study published in Nature Communications Biology reports reference-grade genome of Avicennia marina with an estimated assembled genome size of 456.6 Mb of the 462.7 Mb (98.7% genome coverage) in 31 chromosomes derived from 88 scaffolds and 252 contigs.
0.26% is the reported percentage of genomes in gaps which confirms it to be a high-level assembly. The A. marina genome assembled in this study can be considered as a reference-grade genome reported so far for any mangrove species globally and the first report from India.
To conduct this study, the latest genome sequencing and assembling technologies are employed which aided in identifying 31,477 protein-coding genes and saline consisting of 3246 salinity-responsive genes along with homologs of 614 experimentally validated salinity tolerance genes.
Study: Significance of reference-grade genome
Science is behind every critical aspect of life. In order to achieve efficient crop improvement, the application of accurate genetic information contained in diverse germplasm resources is essential. The study conducted is significant as agriculture productivity globally is affected due to various factors including limited water availability and salinization of soil and water. Availability of water is crucial to crop production especially in dryland areas as it accounts for 40% of the world’s total land area. Salinity is prevalent in 900 million hectares globally, with an estimated 6.73 million hectares in India, and it is estimated to cause an annual loss of 27 billion USD.
According to the study, the genomic resource will pave the way for researchers to study the potential of the identified genes for developing drought and salinity tolerant varieties of significant crop species of the coastal region important for India.
What is Reference Genome & why is genomic information essential?
The Genome Project was the first step into the unknown – the first time anyone ever tried to determine the complete sequence of the human genome. But with the advancement of technology, studies are conducted which are paving the way for a better future. In this, the reference genome can be understood as a photograph on a jigsaw puzzle box. A reference genome is a digital nucleic acid sequence database, assembled by scientists as a representative example of the set of genes in one idealized individual organism of a species.
Genomic information is an extremely crucial foundation for crop improvement programs. Accurate information is required for effective tracking of genomic variations and mapping important quantitative trait loci (QTLs). These tasks are intrinsically dependent on the availability of a range of genetic resources and, most crucially, high-quality reference genomes.
About Avicennia Marina
Referred to as grey mangrove or white mangrove, Avicennia Marina is a shrub or tree belonging to the Acanthaceae family that are generally 10–14 m long. Found in all mangrove formations in India, Avicennia marina is the most prominent salt-secreting mangrove species that grows optimally in 75 per cent seawater.
The grey mangrove is among the rare plant species that can experience stunted growth in water conditions that are too saline. They thrive to their full height in waters where both salt and freshwater are present. The species can tolerate high salinity by excreting salts through its leaves. Avicennia marina can tolerate extreme weather conditions, high winds, along with various pests and diseases.
Mangroves, a unique group of species, are a critical resource for the coastal region that serves as a great ecological and economic value. They also form a link between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, protect shorelines, and provide habitat for a diverse array of terrestrial organisms.
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