International Research Team Releases Pangenome and Panphenome of Eggplant

An international research team has published the most comprehensive genetic map ever assembled for the eggplant, a discovery poised to revolutionize breeding efforts for the popular vegetable. The collaboration, which includes researchers from INRAE, successfully compiled the pangenome (the complete set of all genes) and panphenome (the entire collection of agronomic traits) for the eggplant species.

The research involved analyzing a global collection of more than 3,400 cultivated and wild eggplant varieties. Researchers identified over 20,000 gene families and characterized 218 key agricultural traits, including resistance to fungal wilt disease and the fruit's antioxidant capacity. Using cutting-edge bioinformatic analysis, the team established over 3,000 associations between specific traits and the DNA mutations responsible for them.

Published in Nature Communications, the open-access dataset provides breeders with an unprecedented resource to develop customized eggplant varieties. The information will enable the creation of plants specifically adapted to local environmental constraints, shifting farming practices, and the challenges of ongoing climate change. The research also successfully traced the history of eggplant domestication, confirming its origins in India and Southeast Asia before its global migration. Scientists say the findings underscore the critical importance of preserving genetic biodiversity, equipping global agriculture to meet future food security challenges.

For more details, read the news article on the INRAE website.