Abstract

The genus Chenopodium is of increasing significance, mainly due to allotetraploid quinoa (C. quinoa Willd.,2x = 4x =36, AABB genome) becoming globally recognized for its high nutritional value and tolerance for stress. Diploid A-genome relatives of quinoa in the Western Hemisphere have shown speciation patterns congruent to adaptive radiation, particularly in the North American continent, where a number inhabit ecological niches while others form mixed populations where they are sympatric. Characterization of the genetic mechanism(s) underlying this rapid speciation, could clarify their potential usefulness for improving quinoa . Previous whole-genome assemblies of AA diploids C. watsonii A. Watson and C. pallidicaule Aellen contained telomeric inversions which, if real and not misassembly artifacts, could potentially impact pairing of hybrids heterozygous for an inversion and thus provide one mechanism for explaining the pattern of radiative speciation. Prior research has also increased interest in satellite A1, which is unique to the A-genome in the New World. Whole-genome sequencing and assembly of four North American AA diploids and one South American AA diploid showed less evidence for large-scale rearrangements and more evidence for localized terminal dynamics. While there was no evidence to support either hypothesis of this study, five new chromosome-scale assemblies are available as a resource for future studies and to help inform use of these species as genetic resources for quinoa improvement.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Life Sciences; Plant and Wildlife Sciences

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2026-06-10

Document Type

Thesis

Keywords

Chenopodium quinoa, Chenopodium subglabarum, Chenopodium neomexicanum, Chenopodium howellii, Chenopodium littoreum, Chenopodium pilcomayense, AA-genome diploid species, whole-genome assembly

Language

english

Download

Included in

Life Sciences Commons

Share

COinS