Genomic Resources for the Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

Abstract

Fragaria vesca is one of the putative diploid progenitors and donor of subgenome A in the octoploid genome of the economically important cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). With its small genome size, short generation time, and wellestablished transformation system, F. vesca is an ideal model species for Fragaria and other rosaceous crops. The F. vesca genome was first sequenced in 2011 and since then, with the availability of other molecular genetics and genomic resources, the assembly and annotation of the draft genome were further improved. The F. vesca draft genome has been an invaluable resource to the strawberry research community, with numerous studies using it as reference genome to identify candidate genes related to agronomically important traits. It has led to the generation of a 90 K array, metabolic pathways database, and various other new genetic resources. The strawberry genome also has been used in comparative genomics studies that elucidated the relationship among members of the Rosaceae family and identified genes and genomic signals across several rosaceous species. Altogether, the discoveries made with this genome will provide potential ways to improve cultivated strawberry and expand on our understanding of the Rosaceae family.