Towards understanding the genome complexity of hexaploid chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (2n=6x=54) is an hexaploid ornamental crop that is thought to be originating from up to 10 wild species in the domestication process. Although it has an expected allopolyploid origin, segregation tested in populations mainly showed a random segregation. To make a start in understanding the complex nature of the hexaploid genome and the use of genomics for breeding, diploid wild species genomes provide a valuable resource. The completion of the de novo genome assemblies of both C. makinoi and C. seticuspe allowed us to look at the synteny between the two species and compared it also to genomes of other Asteraceae. Using resequencing data of other wild species and a hexaploid cultivar provided a first attempt to test the presence of signals from the wild species in the hexaploid gene pool.