中国农业科学院张帆小组的论文发现了综合多组学和基因组预测揭示了紫花苜蓿早期耐盐性的遗传基础。相关论文于2025年9月8日发表在《遗传学报》杂志上。

为了剖析这一复杂的性状，研究人员在基于机器学习的基因组预测框架内整合了来自176份资料的全基因组关联研究（GWAS）和转录组学（RNA-seq）。分析表明，它们的耐盐性状遗传相关性较弱，在盐胁迫下性能逐渐下降。GWAS鉴定出60个显著相关SNPs，在100 mM盐胁迫下检测到的SNPs数量最多。耐盐性表现出有利单倍型的加性效应，这在中国种质中最为丰富。GWAS相关基因与激素信号传导和渗透调节的关键调节因子有关，而转录组分析表明，应激反应转录因子在全球范围内受到抑制。整合这些多组学数据集使他们能够确定14个候选基因，包括MsHSD1（种子休眠）和MsMTATP6（能量代谢）。至关重要的是，将这些标记纳入基因组预测模型可将跨种群预测准确率提高到平均54.4%。该研究为紫花苜蓿耐盐性的遗传结构提供了新的思路，并为分子育种提供了有价值的标记。

研究人员表示，苜蓿（Medicago sativa L.）早期耐盐性的遗传基础是限制其产量的关键因素，但目前对其遗传基础仍知之甚少。

附：英文原文

Title: Integrative multi-omics and genomic prediction reveal genetic basis of early salt tolerance in alfalfa

Author: Fan Zhang a

Issue&Volume: 2025/09/08

Abstract: The genetic basis of early-stage salt tolerance in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a key factor limiting its productivity, remains poorly understand. To dissect this complex trait, we integrate genome-wide association study (GWAS) and transcriptomics (RNA-seq) from 176 accessions within a machine learning based genomic prediction framework. Analysis reveals weak genetic correlations among four salt-tolerance traits and a gradual decline in performance under increasing salt stress. GWAS identify 60 significant associated SNPs, with the highest number detected under 100 mM salt stress. Salt tolerance exhibits an additive effect from favorable haplotypes, which are most abundant in Chinese accessions. GWAS-associated genes are related to key regulators of hormone signaling and osmotic adjustment, while transcriptome analysis indicates a global repression of stress-responsive transcription factors. Integrating these multi-omics datasets allow us to identify 14 candidate genes, including MsHSD1 (seed dormancy) and MsMTATP6 (energy metabolism). Crucially, incorporating these markers into genomic prediction models improve cross-population predictive accuracy to an average of 54.4%. This study provides insights into the genetic architecture of salt tolerance in alfalfa and offers valuable markers to facilitate molecular breeding.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2025.09.001

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1673852725002358