New genome study rewrites the early history of grasses, the world's most important plant family

An international team of researchers, featuring Elizabeth Toby Kellogg of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, has unveiled a groundbreaking chromosome-level genome assembly of Streptochaeta spicata, a tropical grass. This study, published in Nature Communications, illuminates the early evolution of grasses, the most economically significant plant family on Earth, which includes key crops like rice, wheat, and maize.

Streptochaeta, a distant relative in the grass family tree, provides an unparalleled view of the ancestral grass karyotype, offering crucial insights into the genome's origins. By comparing Streptochaeta's genome with those of other grasses, scientists uncovered evidence of ancient genetic events that shaped the evolution of all living grasses.

The research reveals that all grasses carry the genetic imprint of a gene duplication event that doubled their gene count, a phenomenon still evident in today's cereal crops. This discovery underscores the crucial role of the ancestral grass genome in the diverse characteristics of modern grasses and sets the stage for future advancements in crop improvement for food security and environmental sustainability.