Manuka (Leptosperumum scoparium) is a taonga, or treasured, plant for Maori and has special significance for the New Zealand people, particularly for the healing properties found in honey produced from its nectar. The sequencing of the manuka genome, or genetic blueprint, will allow Maori to understand the provenance (whakapapa) of and protect varieties of manuka of particular significance to their region, as well as help scientists understand the origins and genetic diversity of manuka found in New Zealand. The information can also be used to support the future breeding of new varieties with key characteristics desired by honey and food ingredient producers.

“The genome sequence of plants can tell us their story in a very detailed way – from where the plant first originated to the slight differences seen from place to place across the country,” says Dr Bruce Campbell, COO of Plant & Food Research. “For manuka, this information can be used in a variety of ways – to protect the species from potential pest and disease threats, as a tool to allow us to domesticate the plant through targeted breeding, or in understanding how different genetic profiles of the plant influence honey characteristics. The information held in the manuka genome sequence holds a range of cultural, conservation and commercial implications for New Zealand.”

Te Tumu Miere, a Maori-owned company established to support the New Zealand honey industry and championed by Te Tumu Paeroa, the new Maori Trustee, is supportive of the research. “Identifying and knowing the regional provenance of manuka is highly important for us to be informed of the whakapapa of these manuka species,” says Shar Amner, General Manager of Te Tumu Miere. “For TTM, the results and knowledge from this research will support the ongoing work we are developing for and on behalf of landowners.”

The manuka genome is approximately 300Mb (300 million DNA base pairs), organised into eleven pairs of chromosomes. It is about half the size of its closest relative with a sequenced genome, the flooded or rose gum Eucalyptus grandis (640Mb), and some conservation of gene content and DNA sequences are expected between the two species. The scientists used ‘Crimson Glory’, a widely available ornamental manuka variety with well-documented lineage, to construct the reference sequence.

Access to the genome sequence can be requested via e-mail.