Draft genome assembly and probing relevant genes in Cryptomeria japonica
Cryptomeria japonica (sugi in Japanese) is the most important forestry conifer in Japan, occupying 40 % of artificial forests. In order to identify relevant genes in terms of ecology and breeding, the whole genome reference sequence of the species is necessary. Although the genome of C. japonica is huge and vast majority of the genome is repetitive, the long read-sequencing technology will be helpful to assemble the draft genome of the species, which will be used to identify candidate genes for male sterility. Because the pollen of C. japonica causes pollinosis and more than 40 % of Japanese are suffering from the disease, the current breeding efforts of the species are focused on male sterility in addition to timber quality and growth characters. The male sterile C. japonica will reduce air-born pollen, relieving the pollinosis in future. The assembly of C. japonica genome is therefore foundation of not only scientific research but also development of male sterile breeding of the species.