A high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of Nicandra physalodes (Solanaceae)

Nicandra physalodes, a member of the Solanaceae family, is known for its medicinal potential and strong natural insect-repellent properties, which are mainly attributed to its bioactive withanolides and alkaloids. Despite its ecological and pharmacological significance, genomic information for this species has remained limited. Here, we generated a chromosome-level reference genome for N. physalodes based on PacBio high-fidelity (HiFi) long-read sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding. The assembled genome is 933.97 Mb in size, with a contig N50 of 87.37 Mb, and 99.95% (933.54 Mb) of the sequences anchored to 10 pseudochromosomes. Repetitive elements account for 73.06% of the genome, and 27,925 protein-coding genes were predicted, 97.81% of which were functionally annotated. This genomic resource provides a valuable foundation for investigating the genetic basis of specialized metabolite biosynthesis, insect resistance, and environmental adaptation in N. physalodes, as well as for comparative studies within the Solanaceae family.