Chinese Scientists Complete the Genome of Diploid Cotton

The international research team led by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) have completed the genome sequence and analysis of a diploid cotton Gossypium raimondii, providing important resource for the study and genetic improvement of cotton quality and understanding the genetic characteristics and evolutionary mechanism of the crop.

Researchers used next generation sequencing technology and yielded a draft cotton genome with 103.6-fold coverage. More than 73% of the sequences were anchored on 13 G. raimondii chromosomes. The research team identified 2,355 syntenic blocks in the G. raimondii genome, and found that approximately 40% of the paralogous genes were present in more than 1 block, suggesting the substantial chromosome rearrangement during its evolution.

Zhiwen Wang, project manager at BGI, said that "The completed G.raimondii genome provides a good reference for accelerating the genomic research on tetraploid cotton species such as G. hirsutum and G. barbadense. It will also lay a solid foundation for researchers to further boost cotton quality and productivity by comprehensively exploring the genetic mechanisms underlying cotton fiber initiation, gossypol biosynthesis and resistance against pathogens and herbivores."

The study was published in Nature Genetics with the following link:  http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ng.2371.html.