Whole genome re-sequencing of date palms yields insights into diversification of a fruit tree crop.

ABSTRACT: Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) are the most significant perennial crop in arid regions of the Middle East and North Africa. Here, we present a comprehensive catalogue of approximately seven million single nucleotide polymorphisms in date palms based on whole genome re-sequencing of a collection of 62 cultivars. Population structure analysis indicates a major genetic divide between North Africa and the Middle East/South Asian date palms, with evidence of admixture in cultivars from Egypt and Sudan. Genome-wide scans for selection suggest at least 56 genomic regions associated with selective sweeps that may underlie geographic adaptation. We report candidate mutations for trait variation, including nonsense polymorphisms and presence/absence variation in gene content in pathways for key ag

SUBMITTER: Hazzouri KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4667612 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature