This dataset includes the supplementary materials of Wei Xiong's Ph.D. thesis book for different chapters. It contains the evidence that supports the main findings or the important intermediate results. The work was conducted in the Biosystematics group, at Wageningen University
Improved crops are needed to provide healthy and nutritious food for the growing global population. Genome assembly helps understand genetic diversity and chromosome organization, which is crucial for breeding improved crops.This study focuses on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and its wild relatives, which serve as important genetic resources for breeding. Chapter 1 discusses sequencing technologies for genome assembly and introduces three key species for lettuce breeding: L. saligna, L. virosa, and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).L. saligna belongs to lettuce’s secondary gene pool and provides resistance to downy mildew. Chapter 2 presents a high-quality genome assembly of L. saligna, describing genetic variants, structural differences compared to lettuce, and potential genetic barriers in hybridization.L.