Amomum tsao-ko is an economically important spice plant in the ginger family (Zingiberaceous). The dried ripe fruit has been widely used as spice and medicine in Southeast Asia due to its distinct flavor metabolites. However, there is little genomic information available to understand the biosynthesis of its characteristic flavor compounds. Here, we present a high-quality chromosome-level genome of A. tsao-ko with a total length of 2.08 Gb assembled into 24 chromosomes. Potential relationships between genetic variation and chemical constituents were analyzed by genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 119 representative A. tsao-ko specimens in China. Metabolome and transcriptome correlation analysis of different plant organs and fruit developmental stages revealed the proposed biosynthesis of the characteristic bicyclononane aldehydes and aromatic metabolites in A. tsao-ko fruit. Transcription factors of 20 families may be involved in the regulatory network of terpenoids. This study provides genomic and chemical insights into the biosynthesis of characteristic aroma and flavor constituents, which can be used to improve the quality of A. tsao-ko as food and medicine.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.