Abstract
The genetic basis of weedy and invasive traits and their evolution remain poorly understood, but genomic approaches offer tremendous promise for elucidating these important features of weed biology. However, the genomic tools and resources available for weed research are currently meager compared with those available for many crops. Because genomic methodologies are becoming increasingly accessible and less expensive, the time is ripe for weed scientists to incorporate these methods into their research programs. One example is next-generation sequencing technology, which has the advantage of enhancing the sequencing output from the transcriptome of a weedy plant at a reduced cost. Successful implementation of these approaches will require collaborative efforts that focus resources on common goals and bring together expertise in weed science, molecular biology, plant physiology, and bioinformatics. We outline how these large-scale genomic programs can aid both our understanding of the biology of weedy and invasive plants and our success at managing these species in agriculture. The judicious selection of species for developing weed genomics programs is needed, and we offer up choices, but noArabidopsis-like model species exists in the world of weeds. We outline the roadmap for creating a powerful synergy of weed science and genomics, given well-placed effort and resources.
Highlights
The genetic basis of weedy and invasive traits and their evolution remain poorly understood, but genomic approaches offer tremendous promise for elucidating these important features of weed biology
This article will review (1) key strategies for using genomic approaches to achieve the goals of weed science, (2) examples of successful research programs in this area, (3) candidate species for efficient leveraging of genomic resources, and (4) how weed scientists can move toward implementing this agenda in their research
The success of these initial collaborations have resulted in further success stories, which include (1) grants, through the U.S Department of Energy–Joint Genome Institute (DOE-JGI), to sequence the genome of cassava; (2) development of two sets of 96 SSR markers from cassava EXPRESSED SEQUENCE TAGS (ESTs) that are being used in breeding programs in Africa; and (3) construction of cassava-specific oligo arrays through Agilent Technologies
Summary
One example is next-generation sequencing technology, which has the advantage of enhancing the sequencing output from the transcriptome of a weedy plant at a reduced cost Successful implementation of these approaches will require collaborative efforts that focus resources on common goals and bring together expertise in weed science, molecular biology, plant physiology, and bioinformatics. A number of reviews have been published on the use of genomics, molecular genetics, and biochemistry in weed science (Basu et al 2004; Chao et al 2005; Indergit et al 2006; Stewart 2009; Yuan et al 2007), the development of genomic tools and resources for weedy and invasive species lags far behind that for crops and model species. This article will review (1) key strategies for using genomic approaches to achieve the goals of weed science, (2) examples of successful research programs in this area, (3) candidate species for efficient leveraging of genomic resources, and (4) how weed scientists can move toward implementing this agenda in their research
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