Christopher J. Grassa
,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Gregory J. Baute
,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Brook Moyers
,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Gregory L. Owens
,
Botany - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Nolan Kane
,
University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Nicolas Langlade
,
Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes Micro-organismes (LIPM) - INRA/CNRS, TOULOUSE, France
Jérôme Gouzy
,
Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes Micro-organismes (LIPM) - INRA/CNRS, Castanet-Tolosan, France
Navdeep Gill
,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
S. Evan Staton
,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Thuy N Nguyen
,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Sariel Hubner
,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
John E. Bowers
,
Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Nadia I. Chaidir
,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Hélène Bergès
,
INRA - CNRGV, Castanet Tolosan, France
Matthew King
,
DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, IA
Zhao Lai
,
Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Eleni Bachlava
,
Monsanto Company, Woodland, CA
Steve Knapp
,
Monsanto Company, Woodland, CA
John M. Burke
,
Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Patrick Vincourt
,
INRA LIPM, Castanet-Tolosan, France
Loren H. Rieseberg
,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
We present version 1.4 of the reference sunflower genome and discuss the diverse genetic resources available in this valuable oilseed crop. Our 3.6 Gbp reference genome consists of seventeen pseudomolecules representing the nuclear chromosomes of sunflower, complete cytoplasmic genomes, and a representative repeat library. The pseudomolecules were constructed via the sequencing and assembly of line HA412, Finger Printed BAC-Contig physical mapping, and high to ultra-high density genetic mapping of several populations. Helianthus annuus may be regarded as a natural compilospecies; adaptive introgressive hybridization with related species has facilitated the expansion of its range over a variety of soils and climates. This phenomenon, coupled with proven interfertility with several wild relatives, is especially valuable to man. Sunflower is a nimble and responsive crop to a politically dynamic world with changing climate.
