Sequencing a Complex Allotetraploid: Peanut

Peanut (Arachis hypogea) is an important crop on a world-wide basis.  A genome sequence would provide a basis for more efficient marker development, gene cloning and analysis of introgression lines.  However, peanut is a recent allotetraploid where both diploid genomes are closely related and has passed through a severe domestication/polyploidy bottleneck.  The 2,800 Mbp/1C genome is large and further complicated by the recent polyploidy. The approach we are undertaking is to simultaneously sequence the allotetraploid and the two putative diploid progenitors (A. duranensis and A. ipaensis). In order to order and orient the next generation whole genome shotgun sequence, high density genetic maps for both the tetraploid and the two diploid ancestors are being created. The end result should be two diploid genome sequences that will be used to help guide the assembly and disambiguation of the tetraploid genome and will provide tools for peanut improvement and better analysis of the wild ancestors for new alleles for improvement.