Characterization of a Saccharum spontaneum with a basic chromosome number of x = 10 provides new insights on genome evolution in genus Saccharum

KEY MESSAGE: A novel tetraploid S. spontaneum with basic chromosome x = 10 was discovered, providing us insights in the origin and evolution in Saccharum species. Sugarcane (Saccharum spp., Poaceae) is a leading crop for sugar production providing 80% of the world’s sugar. However, the genetic and genomic complexities of this crop such as its high polyploidy level and highly variable chromosome numbers have significantly hindered the studies in deciphering the genomic structure and evolution of sugarcane. Here, we developed the first set of oligonucleotide (oligo)-based probes based on the S. spontaneum genome (x = 8), which can be used to simultaneously distinguish each of the 64 chromosomes of octaploid S. spontaneum SES208 (2n = 8x = 64) through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). By comparative FISH assay, we confirmed the chromosomal rearrangements of S. spontaneum (x = 8) and S. officinarum (2n = 8x = 80), the main contributors of modern sugarcane cultivars. In addition, we examined a S. spontaneum accession, Np-X, with 2n = 40 chromosomes, and we found that it was a tetraploid with the unusual basic chromosome number of x = 10. Assays at the cytological and DNA levels demonstrated its close relationship with S. spontaneum with basic chromosome number x = 8 (the most common accessions in S. spontaneum), confirming its S. spontaneum identity. Population genetic structure and phylogenetic relationship analyses between Np-X and 64 S. spontaneum accessions revealed that Np-X belongs to the ancient Pan-Malaysia group, indicating a close relationship to S. spontaneum with basic chromosome number of x = 8. This finding of a tetraploid S. spontaneum with basic chromosome number of x = 10 suggested a parallel evolution path of genomes and polyploid series in S. spontaneum with different basic chromosome numbers.