Preliminary Results of De Novo Whole Genome Sequencing of the Siberian Larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) and the Siberian Stone Pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour)

Abstract

The Illumina HiSeq2000 DNA sequencing generated 2 906 977 265 high quality paired-end nucleotide sequences (reads) and 576 Gbp for Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) that corresponds to 48X coverage of the larch genome (12.03 Gbp), and 3 427 566 813 reads and 679 Gbp for Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) that corresponds to 29X coverage of its genome (23.6 Gbp). These data are not enough to assemble and annotate whole genomes, but the obtained nucleotide sequences have allowed us to discover and develop effective highly polymorphic molecular genetic markers, such as microsatellite loci that are required for population genetic studies and identification of the timber origin. Sequence data can be used also to discover single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Genomic studies of Russian boreal forests and major phytopathogens associated with them will also allow us to identify biomarkers that can be used for solving important scientific and economic problems related to the conservation of forest genetic resources and breeding more resilient and fast growing trees with improved timber and resistance to diseases and adverse environmental factors.

Keywords

• genome
• de novo sequencing
• Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.)
• Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour)