Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) is a distinctive vegetable that supplies a nutrient-rich edible inflorescence meristem for the human diet. However, the genomic bases of its selective breeding have not been studied extensively. Herein, we present a high-quality reference genome assembly C-8 (V2) and a comprehensive genomic variation map consisting of 971 diverse accessions of cauliflower and its relatives. Genomic selection analysis and deep-mined divergences were used to explore a stepwise domestication process for cauliflower that initially evolved from broccoli (Curd-emergence and Curd-improvement), revealing that three MADS-box genes, CAULIFLOWER1 (CAL1), CAL2 and FRUITFULL (FUL2), could have essential roles during curd formation. Genome-wide association studies identified nine loci significantly associated with morphological and biological characters and demonstrated that a zinc-finger protein (BOB06G135460) positively regulates stem height in cauliflower. This study offers valuable genomic resources for better understanding the genetic bases of curd biogenesis and florescent development in crops.

花椰菜（Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis）是一种独特的蔬菜，为人类饮食提供营养丰富的可食用花序分生组织。然而，其选育的基因组基础尚未得到广泛研究。在此，我们提出了高质量的参考基因组组装 C-8 (V2) 和由 971 个花椰菜及其近缘种的不同种质组成的综合基因组变异图谱。使用基因组选择分析和深入挖掘的分歧来探索最初从西兰花进化而来的花椰菜的逐步驯化过程（凝乳出现和凝乳改进），揭示了三个 MADS-box 基因：CAULIFLOWER1 ( CAL1 )、CAL2和FRUITFULL ( FUL2），在凝乳形成过程中可能发挥重要作用。全基因组关联研究确定了 9 个与形态和生物学特征显着相关的位点，并证明锌指蛋白 (BOB06G135460) 正向调节花椰菜的茎高度。这项研究为更好地了解作物花球生物发生和花期发育的遗传基础提供了宝贵的基因组资源。