Population Genomics of Brassica Species

The genus Brassica contains the most economically valuable cultivated dicotyledonous plants in the world. They provide edible oil, protein, and vegetables for human consumption, as well as fodder for livestock. Extensive researches have been performed with the aim of unraveling the complex genomes of the Brassica species. Of the six Brassica species within the “triangle of U,” the genomes of all six Brassica species have been sequenced and assembled. The analyses of these genomes have revealed the genetic variation, genomic structure, biogeographical origin, and population evolution of the Brassica species, and when combined with large-population resequencing, these data were used to propose the history and genetic effects of domestication and adaptive mechanism of the Brassica species. Advances in resequencing technology have enabled the application of high-efficiency breeding strategies in these crop species, involving the identification of genetic variation and genetic loci underlying a trait, genome-wide association studies, and genomic selection. Moreover, population genomics approaches, including population transcriptomics, population epigenomics, and genomic selection studies, have contributed to enhancing our understanding of acclimation, adaptation and disease and insect resistance for populations in the Brassica species. Population genomics therefore provides new insights and facilitates the deciphering of the secrets of the evolution, domestication, and adaptation of Brassica species.