Abstract
The recent completion of the rose genome sequence is not the end of a process, but rather a starting point that opens up a whole set of new and exciting activities. Next to a high-quality genome sequence other genomic tools have also become available for rose, including transcriptomics data, a high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism array and software to perform linkage and quantitative trait locus mapping in polyploids. Rose cultivars are highly heterogeneous and diverse. This vast diversity in cultivated roses can be explained through the genetic potential of the genus, introgressions from wild species into commercial tetraploid germplasm and the inimitable efforts of historical breeders. We can now investigate how this diversity can best be exploited and refined in future breeding work, given the rich molecular toolbox now available to the rose breeding community. This paper presents possible lines of research now that rose has entered the genomics era, and attempts to partially answer the question that arises after the completion of any draft genome sequence: ‘Now that we have “the” genome, what’s next?’. Having access to a genome sequence will allow both (fundamental) scientific and (applied) breeding-orientated questions to be addressed. We outline possible approaches for a number of these questions.
Highlights
IntroductionAs in most other ornamental plant breeding programmes, molecular tools have up to now rarely been used
Rose is the most well-known and beloved ornamental plant worldwide
Since many single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers are polymorphic in both garden and cut roses, and in diploid as well as tetraploid roses, there are many publicly available resources to identify regions in the genome that are associated with traits of interest
Summary
As in most other ornamental plant breeding programmes, molecular tools have up to now rarely been used. There is a number of obstacles to implementing molecular breeding in roses. These include its tetraploid nature, the fact that it is vegetatively propagated and that large genetic gains can still be achieved by simple crossing and selection. While for large agricultural crops the primary focus is on yield and other quantitative traits for both the academic community and breeders, rose research has focussed on both characteristics that are qualitative, such as presence/absence of the ‘double flower’, and some disease resistances, and on complex qualitative traits, including flower colour, scent emission, bud outgrowth[1], floral development and vernalization response[2]. Scent is a complex trait that is being studied, but it is examined by an experienced nose in a breeding programme
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