Sporobolus pyramidalis Genome Sequencing and Transcriptome project

Desiccation tolerance is an ancient and complex trait that spans all of the major lineages of life on earth. It is widespread in plants from algae to angiosperms: common in reproductive propagules but less so in vegetative tissues. Although important in the evolution of land plants, the mechanisms that underlay this complex trait are poorly understood especially with regards to vegetative desiccation tolerance (VDT). Much of the problem can be ascribed to the lack of suitable closely-related plant models that offer a direct contrast between desiccation tolerance and sensitivity: a sister-group contrast. In this study we have assembled a high-quality genomes for one of the two sister species, the desiccation-sensitive Sporobolus pyramidalis, and analyzed the transcriptomes of young leaves at specific water contents during desiccation and rehydration as part of the comparative study entitled: To Dry or Not to Dry: A comparative genomics examination of desiccation tolerance and sensitivity in two sister grass species which will be published