Gossypium Genomics: Trends, Scope, and Utilization for Cotton Improvement

Abstract

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is the most important natural fiber crop worldwide. The diversity of Gossypium species also provides an ideal model for investigating evolution and domestication of polyploids. However, the huge and complex cotton genome hinders genomic research. Technical advances in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis have now largely overcome these obstacles, bringing about a new era of cotton genomics. Here, we review recent progress in Gossypium genomics based on whole genome sequencing, resequencing, and comparative genomics, which have provided insights about the genomic basis of fiber biogenesis and the landscape of cotton functional genomics. We address current challenges and present multidisciplinary genomics-enabled breeding strategies covering the breadth of high fiber yield, quality, and environmental resilience for future cotton breeding programs.

Keywords: cotton genomics; fiber yield and quality; genome editing; genomic breeding.