Cotton Genomics

The Gossypium genus has spawned one of the world's most important crops (cotton), which is Georgia's #1 row crop and sustains one of the world's largest industries (textiles). However, the genomes of cultivated cottons are complex, including two genomes that evolved independently for 5 million to 10 million years before being reunited in a common ancestor of both Upland and Pima/Sea Island/Egyptian cottons. A national team led by the UGA Plant Genome Mapping Laboratory has produced genome sequences for representatives of a diverse sampling of cotton genotypes, and is building genetic populations that will link specific genes in the genome sequences to needs of cotton producers, processors and consumers. This reference genome sequence has provided a platform for integration of a wealth of research findings and data sets toward formulation of a rich collection of hypotheses about potential roles of specific genes in cotton quality and productivity, the ability to reduce demands on environmental resources, and the opportunity to address challenges posed by global climate change.