Wenyu Yang , Chunxiang Ma

Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol. 16, No. 2   
Received: 08 Jan., 2025    Accepted: 20 Feb., 2025    Published: 05 Mar., 2025

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Common wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a globally important staple food crop. However, the use of a single reference genome limits our understanding of its extensive genomic diversity. This study explores the construction of a wheat pan-genome, utilizing advanced sequencing technology, map-based genomic characterization, and integrated bioinformatics processes to capture core genes and non-essential gene content. We analyzed structural variations, gene presence and deletion variations (PAV), and copy number variations (CNV), revealing significant genetic diversity in common wheat (T. aestivum). These findings have profound significance for wheat breeding, enhancing trait association research, genomic selection, and adaptability to climate change. We further discussed the evolutionary insights gained from pan-genome data, including domestication events, population structure and gene family expansion, and highlighted the key contributions of the "10+ Wheat Genome Project". A comprehensive understanding of the wheat genome highlights the necessity of continuously developing inclusive and scalable pan-genomes, integrating multi-omics data, and conducting international cooperation, ultimately aiming to support sustainable agriculture and crop improvement.

Triticum aestivum; Pangenome; Genetic diversity; Wheat breeding; Structural variation