The AMAIZING sequencing project

While whole genome sequence assemblies have been generated for several maize inbred lines, we still lack knowledge of the full diversity of maize, including for a number of key founders used in European breeding. To fill this knowledge gap, we de novo assembled genome sequences of seven inbred lines that are important for breeding programs in Central Europe.

The sequenced lines include a European flint line issued from the Lacaune population, that has been the major founder of the European Flint heterotic group (F2, Lacaune, Southern France), an early flowering European flint line from Northern Europe (F4, Étoile de Normandie, Northern France), a very early flowering northern flint line from Northern America (GF111, derived in Italy from the Canadian landrace Gaspé Flint), a dent line from the Iodent subgroup (MBS847, derived from hybrid Pioneer3901, Iodent family), an early flowering dent line derived from early North-American lines (F252, CO125 family), a line issued from the South-Spanish population Mollar Almeria that traces to first introductions of maize into Europe (EA1197, Mollar Almeria, Tropical/Spanish family), and a highland tropical line (F331, derived in France from CIMMYT population 86 C2). Gene models were annotated in each genome using mRNA-seq data in triplicate from 15 tissues including seven from plants grown in two water regimes (well-watered and water-deficit conditions). Transposable element sequences were annotated using a panEDTA approach.

More information about the project can be found at the project website.