Sequencing the Sugarcane Genome: Sequencing of Long Insert Clones Underlying QTL That Are Associated With Production Traits in the Australian Sugar Industry

The genome of sugarcane is both polyploid and aneuploid which presents a significant challenge in the production of a genome sequence, particularly in the area of sequence assembly. Strategies for genome complexity reduction such as sequencing long insert clones (e.g. BACs) will assist in accurate sequence assembly. This strategy can also provide information on genome structure if BAC clones corresponding to one locus across homeologous chromosomes are sequenced. In previous projects, quantitative trait loci (QTL) corresponding to important production traits for the Australian Sugar Industry have been identified. We have targeted these regions to identify BACs from sugarcane variety R570 for sequencing using short read sequencing methods. Further details of the sequencing strategy will be presented and preliminary results discussed.