The carrot genome

Authors: Simon, Philipp; IORIZZO, MASSIMO - North Carolina State University; GRZEBELUS, DARIUSZ - University Of Agriculture - Poland; BARANSKI, RAFAL - University Of Agriculture - Poland

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/2019
Publication Date: 6/21/2019
Citation: Simon, P.W., Iorizzo, M., Grzebelus, D., Baranski, R. 2019. The carrot genome. Cham, Switzerland:Springer Nature Switzerland AG. 372 p. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03389-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03389-7

Interpretive Summary: Carrot is among the top 10 vegetables grown world-wide and global per capita consumption had more than doubles in the last 50 years, at the same time plant breeding has significantly improved the nutritional value of carrots. The carrot genome was sequenced in 2016, and this provides a significant platform to better understand the basic metabolic, ecological, and evolutionary underpinnings of carrot, which in turn provide a broader foundation to effectively improve the carrot crop with lower inputs and added economic value as global demand grows and agricultural production environments become more challenging for growers, and to develop more nutritious new food products for consumers. This book is of interest for plant geneticists and biologists, plant breeders, vegetable seed companies and growers, nutritionists, and students.

Technical Abstract: Carrot is among the top ten vegetables grown worldwide, and the abundant orange provitamin A carotenoids that account for its familiar orange color make it the richest crop source of vitamin A in the US diet, and in much of the world. The carrot genome was sequenced in 2016, and its relatively small diploid genome combined with the fact that it is the most complete root crop genome published to date, and the first Euasterid II genome sequenced gives carrot an important role in the study of plant development and evolution. This volume provides an up-to-date review and analysis of the carrot nuclear and organellar genome structure (and evolution). It presents applications of carrot genomic information to elucidate carrot’s natural and agricultural history, reproductive biology and genetic basis of traits important in agriculture and human health, and includes the latest genetic maps and resources, genomic tools, and advances in genetic engineering relevant for plant breeders and biologists.