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Abstract
    Diversity is essential for ecosystem stability and sustainable crop production. We investigated genomic diversities in wild and cultivated barley through DNA sequencing to understand genomic mechanisms for environmental adaptations. Divergent selection in contrasting environments leads to functional genomic divergence. We revealed extensive structural variations between natural environments, which also occurs in breeding systems. Small structural variations, including deletions and insertions, form a significant portion of adaptive genetic variation in wild barley and define genes underlying well-differentiated phenotypes such as drought tolerance and early flowering. Large chromosome inversions affect genetic relatedness, gene flow, and genomic differentiation patterns along chromosomes, reducing differentiation through suppressed gene flow. Our results indicate that large chromosome inversions shape genomic differentiation landscapes through incompatible genomic architecture, while small structural variations define genetic differentiation at the gene level through local adaptation maintained by divergent selection.

Background information
    Professor Chengdao Li is a world-renowned agricultural scientist who has revolutionized modern crop breeding through pioneering technologies. He led the global transition from conventional breeding to advanced methods including doubled haploids, molecular selection, genomic breeding, and gene-editing.
      As an international leader in barley genomics, Professor Li helped decode the barley reference genome, establishing the foundation for genomic-based breeding. His research delivers significant commercial impact—his team's varieties, including the globally benchmarking Baudin, transformed Australia from a commodity supplier to a premium barley exporter, substantially increasing grower profitability.
     Professor Li tackles agriculture's most pressing challenges, developing genetic solutions for pre-harvest sprouting that prevent tens of millions in annual losses, and breeding acid-tolerant varieties like Litmus for Australia's challenging soils. His current work focuses on climate-resilient crops.
    As Director of the Western Crop Genetics Alliance, Professor Li extends his expertise across wheat, oats, lupin, and chickpea, driving agricultural innovation.

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