GENOMICS platform

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) is a key pasture species in Australia that is economically important and a reference for Leguminosae comparative mapping. Despite progress in breeding, further gains are expected if breeders exploit new traits. Recently UWA invested in subterranean clover de novo genome sequencing experiments and generated a genome scaffold which provides a great platform to proceed to the whole genome sequencing (WGS) (for a high resolution picture of the gene space of subterranean clover). A sequence dramatically accelerates research on molecular markers to increase breeding efficiency and discovery of genes underpinning important traits such as seed dormancy, Red-legged earth mite resistance (RLEM), Root diseases (especially esp. Phytophthora) and Early root growth. Whole Genome Sequencing experiments were initiated with the funding from Science and Innovation Award to Dr Parwinder Kaur from ABARES in 2013 and an industry grant provided by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) pre-breeding project (B.PBE.0037). Availability of WGS for subterranean clover will serve as a perfect starting point for developing the first HapMap of the World CORE germplasm collection in subterranean clover. The HapMap will serve as a key resource for plant breeders to use to find genes and design markers readily for any economically important trait for developing climate-smart cultivars.