Pearl millet [Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone] is a staple food for more than 90 million farmers in arid and semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa, India and South Asia. We report the ∼1.79 Gb draft whole genome sequence of reference genotype Tift 23D₂B₁-P1-P5, which contains an estimated 38,579 genes. We highlight the substantial enrichment for wax biosynthesis genes, which may contribute to heat and drought tolerance in this crop. We resequenced and analyzed 994 pearl millet lines, enabling insights into population structure, genetic diversity and domestication. We use these resequencing data to establish marker trait associations for genomic selection, to define heterotic pools, and to predict hybrid performance. We believe that these resources should empower researchers and breeders to improve this important staple crop.

中文翻译：

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珍珠粟基因组序列提供了一种在干旱环境中改善农艺性状的资源。

珍珠粟[美国栗（Cenchrus americanus（L.）Morrone]]是撒哈拉以南非洲，印度和南亚干旱和半干旱地区超过9000万农民的主食。我们报告了参考基因型Tift 23D ₂ B ₁的〜1.79 Gb草案全基因组序列-P1-P5，其中包含估计的38,579个基因。我们强调了蜡生物合成基因的大量富集，这可能有助于这种作物的耐热和耐旱性。我们对994个珍珠粟品系进行了重新排序和分析，从而洞察了种群结构，遗传多样性和驯化。我们使用这些重测序数据来建立标记性状关联，以进行基因组选择，定义杂合池以及预测杂种表现。我们认为，这些资源应使研究人员和育种者有能力改善这一重要的主食作物。