In a monumental breakthrough for agricultural science, researchers from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, have played a pivotal role in a landmark international study that sheds new light on the evolution of bread wheat. The study, titled “Origin and Evolution of the Bread Wheat D Genome,” was published in the prestigious journal Nature on August 14, 2024.
Dr. Parveen Chhuneja and Dr. Satinder Kaur, eminent scientists from PAU, were key contributors to this study, which marks a significant advancement in understanding wheat genetics. The research, conducted under the Open Wild Wheat Consortium (OWWC), involved a global team from 36 institutions, led by Dr. Brande Wulff and Dr. Simon Krattinger of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia.
The study highlights the crucial role of wild wheat relatives in enhancing the resilience of modern crops. Dr. Chhuneja, Director of the School of Agricultural Biotechnology (SAB) at PAU, explained that the wild wheat species Aegilops tauschii contributed the D genome to contemporary bread wheat around 10,000 years ago. Despite this rich genetic heritage, modern bread wheat has suffered a loss of genetic diversity due to polyploidization, domestication, and intense breeding practices, which has impacted its resilience and adaptability.
The groundbreaking study has established a comprehensive genomic framework for Aegilops tauschii, analyzing 493 accessions and creating a pangenome from 46 of these. This research has led to the identification of novel disease resistance genes and new genetic variations, unveiling the complex genetic history of the bread wheat D genome shaped by various Ae. tauschii subpopulations.
Dr. Kaur, who also contributed significantly to the study, emphasized the ongoing importance of wild wheat relatives in future wheat breeding programs. She pointed out that while Aegilops tauschii was instrumental in the historical evolution of wheat, it remains a vital resource for enhancing future crop varieties.
PAU maintains a valuable collection of approximately 500 Ae. tauschii accessions, which are actively utilized in wheat improvement programs. PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. S. S. Gosal commended the researchers for their exceptional contributions and reaffirmed the university’s dedication to cutting-edge research and international collaboration. Dr. A. S. Dhatt, Director of Research at PAU, echoed this sentiment, highlighting PAU’s commitment to advancing agricultural science through global partnerships.
The research not only underscores PAU’s leadership in agricultural biotechnology but also reinforces the university’s role in shaping the future of global wheat production.
