Sequencing the Genome of the Hexaploid Oat

The hexaploid oat (Avena sativa L.) is a staple cereal crop for both food production and animal feed. We aim to fully sequence the allohexaploid genome (AACCDD, 2n = 6x = 42). We have previously developed a high-density consensus map that we will use in ordering and orienting our contig assemblies. To achieve this goal, we are using a combined PacBio sequencing as well as BioNano optial mapping approach. Current N50 sub read lengths of our PacBio sequencing are 13,167 bp. To aid in the assembly of the full hexaploid genome, we will are aiming to use diploid references as well: the existing diploid AA genome zipper, and developing CC-diploid resources. These assemblies will help ensure proper anchoring of the hexaploid genome to each sub-genome. Once assembly is complete, we will annotate using transcript sequence resources and predictive gene models and integrate using Maker and Augustus. This genomic information will become a great resource for crop scientists and breeders and available at avenagenome.org.