Melody Muguerza

Sequencing and comparative analyses of the genomes of zoysiagrasses

Zoysia is a warm-season turfgrass, which comprises 11 allotetraploid species (2n = 4x = 40), each possessing different morphological and physiological traits. To characterize the genetic systems of Zoysia plants and to analyse their structural and functional differences in individual species and accessions, we sequenced the genomes of Zoysia species using HiSeq and MiSeq platforms. As a reference sequence of Zoysia species, we generated a high-quality draft sequence of the genome of Z. japonica accession ‘Nagirizaki’ (334 Mb) in which 59,271 protein-coding genes were predicted. In parallel, draft genome sequences of Z. matrella ‘Wakaba’ and Z. pacifica ‘Zanpa’ were also generated for comparative analyses. To investigate the genetic diversity among the Zoysia species, genome sequence reads of three additional accessions, Z. japonica ‘Kyoto’, Z. japonica ‘Miyagi’ and Z. matrella ‘Chiba Fair Green’, were accumulated, and aligned against the reference genome of ‘Nagirizaki’ along with those from ‘Wakaba’ and ‘Zanpa’. As a result, we detected 7,424,163 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and 852,488 short indels among these species. The information obtained in this study will be valuable for basic studies on zoysiagrass evolution and genetics as well as for the breeding of zoysiagrasses, and is made available in the ‘Zoysia Genome Database’ at http://zoysia.kazusa.or.jp.

The relationship between salt gland density and sodium accumulation/secretion in a wide selection from three Zoysia species

Several zoysiagrasses (Zoysia spp.) have been reported to have leaf-epidermal salt glands, and it has been suggested that salt gland density, salt secretion and salt tolerance are positively correlated. The economically most important Zoysia species are Zoysia japonica Steud., Zoysia matrella Merr., and Zoysia pacifica (Goudswaard) M. Hotta & Kuroki, and among these, Z. matrella is considered to be the most salt-tolerant. In this study, we investigated the salt gland density, and characterised the secretion and accumulation of Na+ of 48 accessions of the three Zoysia species. We did not find any morphological differences in salt glands of Z. japonica and Z. pacifica, but large bicellular salt glands were found only on the adaxial side of Z. matrella. In addition, salt gland density differed significantly within and between the species. Under salt stress, all accessions accumulated and secreted Na+ at different rates. Z. japonica was a salt-accumulating type, whereas Z. matrella and Z. pacifica secreted most of the absorbed salt. However, the correlation between salt gland density and salt accumulation/secretion were not observed. Furthermore, Z. pacifica had the lowest gland density but showed the highest Na+ uptake and a secretion rate similar to most salt-tolerant Z. matrella. These results suggest that response to salt stress, namely, salt accumulation/secretion, is different between species, and that salt gland density and salt secretion are not always positively correlated.

Field trial of insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant genetically modified cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for environmental risk assessment in Japan

Japan imports cottonseed mainly from Australia and the USA where more than 96% of all cotton varieties grown are genetically modified (GM). GM crops undergo an environmental risk assessment (ERA) under the Law Concerning the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity before import into Japan. Potential adverse effects on biodiversity are comprehensively assessed based on competitiveness, production of harmful substances and outcrossing ability. Even though imported cottonseed is intended for food and feed uses and not for cultivation, the potential risks from seed spillage during transport must be evaluated. In most cases, the ERA requires data collected from in-country field trials to demonstrate how the GM crop behaves in Japans environment. Confined field trials in Japan were conducted for the ERA of Lepidoptera-resistant and glufosinate-tolerant GM cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) lines GHB119 and T304-40. These lines were compared with conventional varieties for growth habit, morphological characteristics, seed dormancy, and allelopathic activity associated with competitiveness and production of harmful substances. Outcrossing ability was not a concern due to the absence of sexually compatible wild relatives in Japan. Although slight statistical differences were observed between the GM line and its conventional comparator for some morphological characteristics, transgenes or transformation were not considered to be responsible for these differences. The trial demonstrated that competitiveness and production of harmful substances by these GM cotton lines were equivalent to conventional cotton varieties that have a long history of safe use, and no potential adverse effects to biosafety in Japan were observed.