Pan-genome analyses of 11 Fraxinus species provide insights into salt adaptation in ash trees.

Abstract

Ash trees (Fraxinus) exhibit rich genetic diversity and wide adaptation to various ecological environments, and several species are highly salt tolerant. Dissecting the genomic basis of salt adaptation in Fraxinus is vital for its resistance breeding. Here, we present 11 high-quality chromosome-level genome assemblies for Fraxinus species, which reveal two unequal subgenome compositions and two recent whole-genome triplication events in their evolutionary history. A Fraxinus pan-genome was constructed on the basis of structural variations and revealed that presence-absence variations (PAVs) of transmembrane transport genes have likely contributed to salt adaptation in Fraxinus. Through whole-genome resequencing of an F1 population from an interspecies cross of F. velutina 'Lula 3' (salt tolerant) with F. pennsylvanica 'Lula 5' (salt sensitive), we mapped salt-tolerance PAV-based quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and pinpointed two PAV-QTLs and candidate genes associated with Fraxinus salt tolerance. Mechanistically, FvbHLH85 enhances salt tolerance by mediating reactive oxygen species and Na⁺/K⁺ homeostasis, whereas FvSWEET5 enhances salt tolerance by mediating osmotic homeostasis. Collectively, these findings provide valuable genomic resources for Fraxinus salt-resistance breeding and the research community.