Near-complete genome assembly of allotetraploid Erianthus rockii reveals unique chromosome evolution and lineage-divergence trajectories in the Saccharum complex.

Abstract

The Saccharum complex is known for having one of the most intricate genomes among plants, primarily originating from autopolyploidization. Erianthus rockii (E. rockii), an allotetraploid species within the Saccharum complex, serves as a key phylogenetic reference for studying polyploidization in Saccharum. Here, we present the gap-closed genome of E. rockii and investigate the origin and evolution of the Saccharum complex. The Saccharum complex species are thought to have originated from chromosome fusion and polyploidization events that trace back to a diploid common ancestor, approximately 5.1 million years ago. Comparative genomics analyses reveal the driving forces behind the rapid mobility of centromeres, as well as the fates of multiple centromeres after chromosome fusion events. Differences in transposable elements and DNA methylation, structural variations, reorganizations in three-dimensional chromatin architecture, and expression biases offer insights into the concerted diploidization process and the interplay between the A and B sub-genomes of E. rockii. Population genetics and spatiotemporal distribution data suggest that Saccharum lineages originated in the pan-Himalayan regions from a diploid last common ancestor. Dynamic processes such as chromosome reduction, autopolyploidization, and allopolyploidization, likely driven by climate change, contributed to the spread and emergence of the Saccharum lineage. Our findings highlight the evolution of polyploid genomes and provide a fundamental genetic resource for the breeding and genetic improvement of sugarcane.