Researchers have completed a first draft map of the genome for the oil palm, a breakthrough they say could lead to improvements in crop yield of the plant which has recently come into high demand as a source of oil for food products and biodiesel.
The Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology (ACGT), which is focused on the commercial application of genome technology to improve oil palm and other crops and Synthetic Genomics Inc. (SGI), which was founded by Craig Venter–a key player in the mapping of the human genome–also announced that they have made progress in sequencing and analyzing the jatropha genome. Jatropha is considered to be a promising non-food crop for cellulosic ethanol production.
The oil palm and jatropha genome projects represent the first stages of research undertaken through a joint venture between SGI and ACGT, which was announced in 2007 and is aimed at developing more high-yielding and disease-resistant plant feedstocks. ACGT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Asiatic Development Berhad (2291.KL), an oil palm plantation company listed on the Malaysian Stock Exchange and a member of the Genting Group.
The oil palm genome is approximately 1.8 billion base pairs in size, about four times the size of the rice genome and two thirds the size of the maize genome. The groups sequenced a combination of two oil palm races–tenera and dura, to produce seven-fold coverage of the plant’s genome, which represents the most comprehensive sequence and analysis of this genome, the companies say. SGI and ACGT will continue to do additional sequencing and analysis of the oil palm genome and when completed, this will become the reference genome.
The companies are also conducting an in-depth genomic, physiological and biochemical analysis of jatropha, a robust oil seed crop whose oil is suitable for conversion into cleaner, renewable fuels. Jatropha readily grows on marginal lands not used for food production. Since jatropha is a non- domesticated crop with few published studies, it has significant potential for improvements in yield and agronomic properties, according to researchers.
"The genome sequences of these highly productive oilseed crops will enable the in-depth understanding of genes encoding for plant yield and health and foster the development of improved plant varieties. We are also characterizing the important microbes living in the environments around these plants," said Venter, founder and CEO of Synthetic Genomics. "Our goal is to harness this knowledge to produce improved feedstocks, renewable fuels, biofertilizers, and disease-control solutions."
The draft oil palm genome is already yielding important information including unique genetic variations linked to traits that differ in the two races. One example of this pertains to kernel shell thickness which differs between the two. Since fruits with thinner kernel shells yield more oil, the groups are seeking to understand the genetic basis for shell thickness. These molecular markers and others can be used in breeding and tissue-culture based approaches to address plant yield, oil quality, growth and height and other important properties, including fertilizer requirements and stress and disease tolerance.
"The completion of the first draft sequence of the oil palm genome and progress on the jatropha genome are significant milestones towards the genetic improvement of these inherently high yielding oil crops. Unlocking the knowledge encoded in the genomes could further increase our understanding of these important crops which could lead to substantially improved oil yield. With such enhanced productivity, growing oil palm and jatropha could be the sustainable solution to fulfilling the world’s need for a wide variety of products," said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chief Executive of Asiatic Development Berhad.
SGI and ACGT are also using environmental genomic techniques to sequence and analyze the root, soil and leaf microbial communities surrounding the oil palm and jatropha plants. Understanding the oil palm and jatropha genomes and their environments will enable the groups to develop diagnostic tests for plant diseases as well as agents for their control, leading to healthier and more productive crops, they say. These genomic-based interventions will contribute to more efficient land usage with higher agricultural yield and more sustainable development with improved stewardship of the plantation environment.
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