The St genome of Pseudoroegneria (Triticeae, Poaceae) not only accounts for more than 60% perennial speciation, but also prominent for forage and crop breeding. The diploid Pseudoroegneria libanotica with more ancient St genome is covered by cuticular wax on the aerial part, and exhibited strong drought resistance. To reveal the genetic relationship among Triticeae species and illustrate the mechanism between water deficit and cuticular wax formation, in this study, we (1) assembled the chromosome level St genome of Pse. libanotica with 2.99 Gb assembled into seven pseudochromosomes; less repeat clusters (TEs) is the main reason for the St genome with smaller genome size, and high genome heterozygosity might cause abundant St-containing speciation; (2) the genus Pseudoroegneria diverged during the middle and late Miocene, and unique genes, gene family expansion and contraction in Pse. libanotica were enriched in biotic and abiotic stresses, such as fatty acid biosynthesis which may be greatly contribute to the its drought adaption; (3) in total, 14 genes were involved in wax biosynthesis under 28 days drought treatment, more importantly, a new Kcs gene evm.TU.CTG175.54 plays a critical role in the very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) elongation from C18 to C26 in Pse. libanotica. Our study lays a foundation for the genome diversification of Triticeae species and deciphers cuticular wax formation genes that have contributed to the drought resistance of Pse. libanotica.

Uptake and internal transport of micronutrients are essential for plant growth, development, and yield. In this regard, Iron Regulated Transporters (IRTs) from the ZIP (Zinc-regulated, iron-regulated transporter-like proteins) family play an important role in transition metal uptake. The majority of studies have been focused on IRT1-like proteins in diploid species, but few in polyploids. Here, we studied the function of TpIRT1A and TpIRT1B homoeologs in a tetraploid crop, Polish wheat (Triticum polonicum). Our results highlighted the importance of TpIRT1 in the uptake and translocation of Fe, Mn, Co, and Cd with direct implications for wheat yield potential. Both TpIRT1A and TpIRT1B were located at the plasma membrane and internal vesicles in Arabidopsis protoplasts, and responsible for Cd and Co sensitivity in yeast. The over-expression of TpIRT1B in A. thaliana increased Fe, Mn, Co, and Cd concentration in its tissues and improved plant growth under Fe, Mn, and Co deficiencies, while caused more sensitive to Cd than wild-type plant. Functional analysis of IRT1 homoeologs from tetraploid and diploid ancestral wheat species in yeast disclosed four distinct amino acid residues in TdiIRT1B (T. dicoccum) and TtuIRT1B (T. turgidum). Together, these results increase the knowledge of IRT1 function in a global crop, wheat.

Hybridization is an important part of species evolution. The hybrid progeny population had rich genetic and phenotypic variation, which made the boundaries between them and their parents blurred and difficult to distinguish. There was little research on the origin of natural hybrids of Triticeae. In this study, we found a large number of putative hybrids of Roegneria in West Sichuan Plateau, China. The hybrid plants showed strong heterosis in plant height, tiller number and floret number. Morphologically, the putative hybrids showed intermediate of Roegneria stricta Keng and Roegneria turczaninovii (Drob.) Nevski. Hybrids had 28 chromosomes corresponding to that of R. stricta and R. turczaninovii (2n=4x=28). Meiotic pairing in hybrids were less regular than those of R. stricta and R. turczaninovii. GISH analysis showed that the hybrid plants had the same genome as that of R. stricta and R. turczaninovii (StY). Phylogenetic analysis based on the single copy nuclear gene DMC1 and chloroplast gene rps16 showed the plants were closely related to R. stricta and R. turczaninovii. This study indicated that the plants were hybrids of R. stricta and R. turczaninovii. The results provided data for the utilization of hybrid. This study provided a case study of natural hybrids.