News Onion Analysis 2018
Onion genome hasn't given up all its secrets
In order to bring new varieties to the market more quickly, researchers at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) started mapping the onion genome years ago. A large part has now been mapped out, but a lot of research is still required before the effects are noticeable.
In 2015 you presented the first version of the onion genome. How is it 3 years later?
"Determining a genome sequence means mapping the DNA. The 2015 version consisted of small pieces that together formed the onion genome. It was not yet clear at the time which pieces belonged together and in what order," says Olga Scholten. , researcher at Wageningen Plant Research.
Richard Finkers, researcher at Wageningen Plant Research, adds: "We have made steps in arranging those pieces in order. This is possible because there are large and small pieces, which partially overlap. In this way, the puzzle is further solved. We have also taken a step in locating the genes in the genome. We have now been able to assign a function to some of these genes."
It should lead to faster breeding of new varieties. Is this already practical?
Scholten: "The breeding of a new variety takes 14 years and that period can be even longer. Due to the planning required for breeding, it is too early to say anything about this. In addition, the more When genome sequences are used by breeders and researchers, knowledge becomes available. This leads to a different approach to breeding, whereby larger numbers (after crossing) will be tested for the presence of certain genes or combinations thereof."
-Richard Finkers
Have producers started working with information that you have unraveled?
"Bejo and De Groot en Slot funded the project, together with Genome Scan and the Horticulture and Propagation Materials Top Sector. When Bejo decided to do this, it was exciting how far we could get with the sequence. The onion genome is very large: 16 times larger than the tomato genome. Obtaining data is not the bottleneck, but the analysis is a different story. After the onion genome has been published, other researchers will start using the possibilities offered by genome sequencing," says Finkers.
What challenges will you face in the next 3 years and beyond?
"Bringing the information together efficiently is a challenge. In our research it is a priority to make this process more efficient, so that we can make decisions in the breeding process in the best possible way," says Finkers.
Scholten adds: "In addition, it is important that we start using the genome, for example in understanding resistance to diseases and pests, but also to make onions more tolerant to drought. That was a major problem this year and is expected to will occur more frequently in the coming years. Which genes play a role in these processes, what can we learn from other crops and how can we translate that knowledge into onions?"
Finkers concludes: "The role of being able to make good use of the information is increasingly recognized as important. The onion genome has not yet given up all its secrets. We hope to be able to make great strides."
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