The genome of the Syracusan female lemon sequenced in Italy

Published Nov 30, 2021

Tridge summary

Researchers from the University of Catania and the Edmund Mach Foundation, with support from other institutions, have sequenced the genome of the 'Femminello Siracusano' lemon variety, marking a world first. The findings, published in the scientific journal “Tree Genetics and Genomes ", detail the genetic map of about 35,000 genes, which could be used to enhance lemon characteristics such as disease resistance, re-flowering, and nutraceutical value. The research could also aid in the understanding of citrus evolution by confirming the lemon's hybrid origin from citron and bitter orange. This project is supported by two European initiatives, SIRPA and FREECLIMB.

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Original content

The University of Catania and the Edmund Mach Foundation have sequenced the lemon genome for the first time. The results of the research - also supported by the Council for Agricultural Research and Analysis of Agricultural Economics (CREA-OFA, Acireale site) and by the Hunan Agricultural University (China) - were published in the scientific journal “Tree Genetics and Genomes ". From today, therefore, the genetic code of the lemon, the “Femminello Siracusano” variety, is available to the international scientific community. Knowledge of the exact location and function of genes (about 35 thousand) will provide researchers from all over the world with useful information for the study of characteristics of agronomic interest. The work benefited from the integration of the skills of the two main bodies involved (FEM and UNICT), concerning sequencing techniques on the one hand (the FEM has already sequenced the genomes of numerous species, grapevine, apple, strawberry, raspberry, pear, ...

Source: Corriereortofrutticolo