Heritable differences in abundance of bacterial rhizosphere taxa are correlated with fungal necrotrophic pathogen resistance.

Host-microbe interactions are increasingly recognized as important drivers of organismal health, growth, longevity and community-scale ecological processes. However, less is known about how genetic variation affects hosts' associated microbiomes and downstream phenotypes. We demonstrate that sunflower (Helianthus annuus) harbours substantial, heritable variation in microbial communities under field conditions. We show that microbial communities co-vary with heritable variation in resistance to root infection caused by the necrotrophic pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and that plants grown in autoclaved soil showed almost complete elimination of pathogen resistance. Association mapping suggests at least 59 genetic locations with effects on both microbial relative abundance and Sclerotinia resistance. Although the genetic architecture appears quantitative, we have elucidated previously unexplained genetic variation for resistance to this pathogen. We identify new targets for plant breeding and demonstrate the potential for heritable microbial associations to play important roles in defence in natural and human-altered environments.

Mitochondrial genomes in the iconic reindeer lichens: Architecture, variation, and synteny across multiple evolutionary scales.

Variation in mitochondrial genome composition across intraspecific, interspecific, and higher taxonomic scales has been little studied in lichen obligate symbioses. Cladonia is one of the most diverse and ecologically important lichen genera, with over 500 species representing an array of unique morphologies and chemical profiles. Here, we assess mitochondrial genome diversity and variation in this flagship genus, with focused sampling of two clades of the "true" reindeer lichens, Cladonia subgenus Cladina, and additional genomes from nine outgroup taxa. We describe composition and architecture at the gene and the genome scale, examining patterns in organellar genome size in larger taxonomic groups in Ascomycota. Mitochondrial genomes of Cladonia, Pilophorus, and Stereocaulon were consistently larger than those of Lepraria and contained more introns, suggesting a selective pressure in asexual morphology in Lepraria driving it toward genomic simplification. Collectively, lichen mitochondrial genomes were larger than most other fungal life strategies, reaffirming the notion that coevolutionary streamlining does not correlate to genome size reductions. Genomes from Cladonia ravenelii and Stereocaulon pileatum exhibited ATP9 duplication, bearing paralogs that may still be functional. Homing endonuclease genes (HEGs), though scarce in Lepraria, were diverse and abundant in Cladonia, exhibiting variable evolutionary histories that were sometimes independent of the mitochondrial evolutionary history. Intraspecific HEG diversity was also high, with C. rangiferina especially bearing a range of HEGs with one unique to the species. This study reveals a rich history of events that have transformed mitochondrial genomes of Cladonia and related genera, allowing future study alongside a wealth of assembled genomes.

Breeding for sustainable oilseed crop yield and quality in a changing climate.

As the effects of climate change continue to alter crop-growing conditions year-to-year on both prime and marginal agricultural landscapes, we must consider the effects not only on yield but also on quality. This is particularly true for oilseed crops. In this review, we explore the importance of oilseeds in general and the specific uses of major oilseed crops including soybean, sunflower, canola, peanut, and cottonseed. We review the physiology of seed oil production, from the perspective of the plant's adaptation to environmental changes. Of particular importance is the role of temperature and water availability on oil synthesis. We then discuss how this influences genetic variation, phenotype variability due to environment, and the interaction of genetics and environment to affect composition and yield of vegetable oils. The ability to predict these effects using genomics and bioinformatics is an important new frontier for breeders to maximize stability of a desired fatty acid composition for their crop over increasingly extreme agricultural environments.

Genetic loci underlying quantitative resistance to necrotrophic pathogens Sclerotinia and Diaporthe (Phomopsis), and correlated resistance to both pathogens.

KEY MESSAGE: We provide results rooted in quantitative genetics, which combined with knowledge of candidate gene function, helps us to better understand the resistance to two major necrotrophic pathogens of sunflower. Necrotrophic pathogens can avoid or even benefit from plant defenses used against biotrophic pathogens, and thus represent a distinct challenge to plant populations in natural and agricultural systems. Sclerotinia and Phomopsis/Diaporthe are detrimental pathogens for many dicotyledonous plants, including many economically important plants. With no well-established methods to prevent infection in susceptible plants, host-plant resistance is currently the most effective strategy. Despite knowledge of a moderate, positive correlation in resistance to the two diseases in sunflower, detailed analysis of the genetics, in the same populations, has not been conducted. We present results of genome-wide analysis of resistance to both pathogens in a diversity panel of 218 domesticated sunflower genotypes of worldwide origin. We identified 14 Sclerotinia head rot and 7 Phomopsis stem canker unique QTLs, plus 1 co-located QTL for both traits, and observed extensive patterns of linkage disequilibrium between sites for both traits. Most QTLs contained one credible candidate gene, and gene families were common for the two disease resistance traits. These results suggest there has been strong, simultaneous selection for resistance to these two diseases and that a generalized mechanism for defense against these necrotrophic pathogens exists.

Complete mitochondrial genomes provide current refined phylogenomic hypotheses for relationships among ten Hirundo species.

Hirundo is the most species-rich genus of the passerine swallow family (Hirundinidae) and has a cosmopolitan distribution. Here we report the complete, annotated mitochondrial genomes for 25 individuals from 10 of the 14 extant Hirundo species; these include representatives from four subspecies of the barn swallow, H. rustica. Mitogenomes were conserved in size, ranging from 18,500 to 18,700 base pairs. They all contained 13 protein-coding regions, 22 tRNAs, a control region, and large and small ribosomal subunits. Phylogenetic analysis resolved most of the relationships between the studied species and subspecies which were largely consistent with previously published trees. Several new relationships were observed within the phylogeny that could have only been discovered with the increased amount of genetic material. This study represents the largest Hirundo mitochondrial phylogeny to date, and could serve as a vital tool for other studies focusing on the evolution of the Hirundo genus.

A taxonomically broad metagenomic survey of 339 species spanning 57 families suggests cystobasidiomycete yeasts are not ubiquitous across all lichens.

PREMISE: Lichens are fungi that enter into obligate symbioses with photosynthesizing organisms (algae, cyanobacteria). Traditional narratives of lichens as binary symbiont pairs have given way to their recognition as dynamic metacommunities. Basidiomycete yeasts, particularly of the genus Cyphobasidium, have been inferred to be widespread and important components of lichen metacommunities. Yet, the presence of basidiomycete yeasts across a wide diversity of lichen lineages has not previously been tested. METHODS: We searched for lichen-associated cystobasidiomycete yeasts in newly generated metagenomic data from 413 samples of 339 lichen species spanning 57 families and 25 orders. The data set was generated as part of a large-scale project to study lichen biodiversity gradients in the southern Appalachian Mountains Biodiversity Hotspot of southeastern North America. RESULTS: Our efforts detected cystobasidiomycete yeasts in nine taxa (Bryoria nadvornikiana, Heterodermia leucomelos, Lecidea roseotincta, Opegrapha vulgata, Parmotrema hypotropum, P. subsumptum, Usnea cornuta, U. strigosa, and U. subgracilis), representing 2.7% of all species sampled. Seven of these taxa (78%) are foliose (leaf-like) or fruticose (shrubby) lichens that belong to families where basidiomycete yeasts have been previously detected. In several of the nine cases, cystobasidiomycete rDNA coverage was comparable to, or greater than, that of the primary lichen fungus single-copy nuclear genomic rDNA, suggesting sampling artifacts are unlikely to account for our results. CONCLUSIONS: Studies from diverse areas of the natural sciences have led to the need to reconceptualize lichens as dynamic metacommunities. However, our failure to detect cystobasidiomycetes in 97.3% (330 species) of the sampled species suggests that basidiomycete yeasts are not ubiquitous in lichens.

Extensive chloroplast genome rearrangement amongst three closely related Halamphora spp. (Bacillariophyceae), and evidence for rapid evolution as compared to land plants.

Diatoms are the most diverse lineage of algae, but the diversity of their chloroplast genomes, particularly within a genus, has not been well documented. Herein, we present three chloroplast genomes from the genus Halamphora (H. americana, H. calidilacuna, and H. coffeaeformis), the first pennate diatom genus to be represented by more than one species. Halamphora chloroplast genomes ranged in size from ~120 to 150 kb, representing a 24% size difference within the genus. Differences in genome size were due to changes in the length of the inverted repeat region, length of intergenic regions, and the variable presence of ORFs that appear to encode as-yet-undescribed proteins. All three species shared a set of 161 core features but differed in the presence of two genes, serC and tyrC of foreign and unknown origin, respectively. A comparison of these data to three previously published chloroplast genomes in the non-pennate genus Cyclotella (Thalassiosirales) revealed that Halamphora has undergone extensive chloroplast genome rearrangement compared to other genera, as well as containing variation within the genus. Finally, a comparison of Halamphora chloroplast genomes to those of land plants indicates diatom chloroplast genomes within this genus may be evolving at least ~4-7 times faster than those of land plants. Studies such as these provide deeper insights into diatom chloroplast evolution and important genetic resources for future analyses.

Genome streamlining via complete loss of introns has occurred multiple times in lichenized fungal mitochondria.

Reductions in genome size and complexity are a hallmark of obligate symbioses. The mitochondrial genome displays clear examples of these reductions, with the ancestral alpha-proteobacterial genome size and gene number having been reduced by orders of magnitude in most descendent modern mitochondrial genomes. Here, we examine patterns of mitochondrial evolution specifically looking at intron size, number, and position across 58 species from 21 genera of lichenized Ascomycete fungi, representing a broad range of fungal diversity and niches. Our results show that the cox1gene always contained the highest number of introns out of all the mitochondrial protein-coding genes, that high intron sequence similarity (>90%) can be maintained between different genera, and that lichens have undergone at least two instances of complete, genome-wide intron loss consistent with evidence for genome streamlining via loss of parasitic, noncoding DNA, in Phlyctis boliviensisand Graphis lineola. Notably, however, lichenized fungi have not only undergone intron loss but in some instances have expanded considerably in size due to intron proliferation (e.g., Alectoria fallacina and Parmotrema neotropicum), even between closely related sister species (e.g., Cladonia). These results shed light on the highly dynamic mitochondrial evolution that is occurring in lichens and suggest that these obligate symbiotic organisms are in some cases undergoing recent, broad-scale genome streamlining via loss of protein-coding genes as well as noncoding, parasitic DNA elements.

Comparative analysis of the mitochondrial genomes of six newly sequenced diatoms reveals group II introns in the barcoding region of cox1.

Diatoms are the most diverse lineage of algae and at the base of most aquatic food webs, but only 11 of their mitochondrial genomes have been described. Herein, we present the mitochondrial genomes of six diatom species, including: Melosira undulata, Nitzschia alba, Surirella sp., Entomoneis sp., Halamphora coffeaeformis, and Halamphora calidilacuna. Comparison of these six genomes to the 11 currently published diatom mitochondrial genomes revealed a novel ubiquitous feature block consisting of tatC-orf157-rps11. The presence of intronic retrotransposable elements in the barcoding region of cox1 in the Halamphora genomes may explain historic difficulty (especially PCR) with cox1 as a universal barcode for diatoms. Our analysis suggests that high rates of variability in number and position of introns, in many commonly used coding sequences, prevent these from being universally viable as barcodes for diatoms. Therefore, we suggest researchers examine the chloroplast and/or nuclear genomes for universal barcoding markers.

Reductions in complexity of mitochondrial genomes in lichen-forming fungi shed light on genome architecture of obligate symbioses.

Symbioses among co-evolving taxa are often marked by genome reductions such as a loss of protein-coding genes in at least one of the partners as a means of reducing redundancy or intergenomic conflict. To explore this phenomenon in an iconic yet under-studied group of obligate symbiotic organisms, mitochondrial genomes of 22 newly sequenced and annotated species of lichenized fungi were compared to 167 mitochondrial genomes of nonlichenized fungi. Our results demonstrate the first broad-scale loss of atp9 from mitochondria of lichenized fungi. Despite key functions in mitochondrial energy production, we show that atp9 has been independently lost in three different lineages spanning 10 of the 22 studied species. A search for predicted, functional copies of atp9 among genomes of other symbionts involved in each lichen revealed the full-length, presumably functional copies of atp9 in either the photosynthetic algal partner or in other symbiotic fungi in all 10 instances. Together, these data yield evidence of an obligate symbiotic relationship in which core genomic processes have been streamlined, likely due to co-evolution.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of five lichenized fungi in the genus Usnea (Ascomycota: Parmeliaceae).

Known colloquially as 'Old Man's Beard', Usnea is a genus of lichenized Ascomycete fungi characterized by having a fruticose growth form and cartilaginous central axis. The complete mitochondrial genomes of Usnea halei, U. mutabilis, U. subfusca, U. subgracilis, and U. subscabrosa were sequenced using Illumina data and then assembled de novo. These mitogenomes ranged in size from 52,486 bp (U. subfusca) to 94,464 bp (U. subgracilis). All were characterized by having high levels of intronic and intergenic variation, such as ORFs that encode proteins with homology to two homing endonuclease types, LAGLIDADG and GIY-YIG. Genes annotated within these mitogenomes include 14 protein-coding genes, the large and small ribosomal subunits (LSU and SSU), and 23-26 tRNAs. Notably, the atp9 gene was absent from each genome. Genomic synteny was highly conserved across the five species. Five conserved mitochondrial genes (nad2, nad4, cox1, cox2, and cox3) were used to infer a best estimate maximum likelihood phylogeny among these five Usnea and other relatives, which yielded relationships consistent with prior published phylogenies.

Genomic insights into the mitochondria of 11 eastern North American species of Cladonia.

Cladonia is among the most species-rich genera of lichens globally. Species in this lineage, commonly referred to as reindeer lichens, are ecologically important in numerous regions worldwide. In some locations, species of Cladonia can comprise the dominant groundcover, and are a major food source for caribou and other mammals. Additionally, many species are known to produce substances with antimicrobial properties or other characteristics with potentially important medical applications. This exceptional morphological and ecological variation contrasts sharply with the limited molecular divergence often observed among species. As a new resource to facilitate ongoing and future studies of these important species, we analyse here the sequences of 11 Cladonia mitochondrial genomes, including new mitochondrial genome assemblies and annotations representing nine species: C. apodocarpa, C. caroliniana, C. furcata, C. leporina, C. petrophila, C. peziziformis, C. robbinsii, C. stipitata, and C. subtenuis. These 11 genomes varied in size, intron content, and complement of tRNAs. Genes annotated within these mitochondrial genomes include 15 protein-coding genes, the large and small ribosomal subunits (mtLSU and mtSSU), and 23-26 tRNAs. All Cladonia mitochondrial genomes contained atp9, an important energy transport gene that has been lost evolutionarily in some lichen mycobiont mitochondria. Using a concatenated alignment of five mitochondrial genes (nad2, nad4, cox1, cox2, and cox3), a Bayesian phylogeny of relationships among species was inferred and was consistent with previously published phylogenetic relationships, highlighting the utility of these regions in reconstructing phylogenetic history.

Genetic Architecture of Capitate Glandular Trichome Density in Florets of Domesticated Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).

Capitate glandular trichomes (CGT), one type of glandular trichomes, are most common in Asteraceae species. CGT can produce various secondary metabolites such as sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) and provide durable resistance to insect pests. In sunflower, CGT-based host resistance is effective to combat the specialist pest, sunflower moth. However, the genetic basis of CGT density is not well understood in sunflower. In this study, we identified two major QTL controlling CGT density in sunflower florets by using a F4 mapping population derived from the cross HA 300 × RHA 464 with a genetic linkage map constructed from genotyping-by-sequencing data and composed of 2121 SNP markers. One major QTL is located on chromosome 5, which explained 11.61% of the observed phenotypic variation, and the second QTL is located on chromosome 6, which explained 14.06% of the observed phenotypic variation. The QTL effects and the association between CGT density and QTL support interval were confirmed in a validation population which included 39 sunflower inbred lines with diverse genetic backgrounds. We also identified two strong candidate genes in the QTL support intervals, and the functions of their orthologs in other plant species suggested their potential roles in regulating capitate glandular trichome density in sunflower. Our results provide valuable information to sunflower breeding community for developing host resistance to sunflower insect pests.