A research team composedof the Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Peking University and other Unitshas currently completed the whole genome sequencing and mapping of uplandcotton which have been wide plantedaround the world, making an importantbreakthrough in the field of genomics research.

Allotetraploidupland cotton is the most important fiber crops and polyploid crop in theworld. Gossypium includes 46 diploid gossypium species and 5allotetraploidgossypium species and all diploid gossypium species are evolved fromthe same ancestor, which developed into genome A, B, C, D, E, F, G, K. Thegenome type of allotetraploidgossypium species is AD. Now, experts hold thatgenome ADisgeneratedthrough the hybridization of genome ancestor A and genome ancestor D before chromosome doubling, in which uplandcotton is included. It is difficult to assembleallopolyploid plant genome of high quality. Because this genome is big and itcontains a large number of repeat sequences and highly homologous genomes.

Inthis research, the researchers finally gained 26 chromosomes by whole genomesequencing and assembling the upland cotton genetic standard line TM-1; gained76943 protein-coding genes through genome annotation; firstly revealed theformation process and evolvement rule of  tetraploid cotton throughcomparative genome approach.

ResearcherLi Fuguang said that China is the biggest country of textile production andconsumption in the world. Cotton plays an important part in national economy.The completion of tetraploid cotton upland cotton (AD group) would speed up thebreeding of new cotton varieties and have great significance for thesustainable development of cotton industry in our country.

Time: 2015.6.5

Source: Workers’Daily