Sorbus pohuashanensis Genome sequencing and assembly

Sorbus pohuashanensis is a potential horticulture and medicinal plants, but its genomic and genetic background remain unknown. Here, we de-novo sequenced and assembled Sorbus pohuashanensis (Hance) Hedl reference genome using Pacbio long-reads. Based on the new reference genome, we resequenced a core collection of 22 Sorbus spp. samples, found they were divided into G1 and G2 groups based on phylogenetic and PCA analysis, and the phylogenetic clusters are highly in accordance with the classification based on leaf shapes. Natural gene communications between the G1 and G2 groups was evidenced by a sample (R21) with highly heterozygous genotypes. Nucleotide diversity showed that G1 has a higher diversity than G2, and G2 originated from G1. During the evolution process, the genes involved in photosynthesis pathways expanded and genes involved in energy-consuming-related genes contracted. Comparative genome analysis showed that Sorbus pohuashanensis kept good chromosomal syntenic with Malus domestica and Pyrus communis. RNA-seq suggested that flavonols biosynthesis and HSP-HSF pathways played important roles in sunburn photoprotective. This study provides new insight into Sorbus spp. genomes evolution, genomic resources for the community, and the identified genetic variations, especially the stress-related genes, will help future introduction and breeding efforts.