Recently, Yangzhou University, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) Vegetable Research Institute, and other Chinese and foreign teams published a paper in Horticulture Research, systematically analyzing the genome sequencing data of 134 garlic (Allium sativum L.) accessions to reveal the molecular mechanism behind garlic's deteriorated sexual reproduction. 

 

The study shows that during garlic domestication, many key genes controlling bolting like Asa2G00291.1, Asa5G01527.1 and Asa3G03399.1 underwent selective sweep, leading to weakened bolting ability in garlic. At the same time, some genes promoting bulbil formation like Asa6G06199.1 and Asa8G03383.1 were also under selection pressure, causing their irregular expression, triggering excessive aerial bulbil formation in flower buds, and ultimately resulting in sterility of garlic flowers. 

 

This study systematically elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying garlic's deteriorated sexual reproduction, providing important clues for understanding garlic domestication process.