Advances in Ranunculus asiaticus L. genome assembly and annotation based on long-read sequencing technology

Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus L.; 2x=2n=16) is a perennial, allogamous species originating in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean basin, marketed both as a cut flower or potted plant. Its cultivated area is estimated around 300-350 ha, with the larger values in Italy. To meet the increasing market demand and enhance breeding efficiency, a deeper understanding of buttercup genetics and the application of molecular breeding are crucial. The availability of a high-quality genome assembly of the species establishes a reference for exploring the genetic mechanisms of complex traits, thus providing a pivotal contribution to the selection of new cultivars. However, the assembly of the Persian buttercup genome based on short-reads sequencing is challenging, due to its wide genome size, estimated at 7,6 Gb, its high heterozygosity, and the high presence of repetitive sequences. Here we report on the first version of the R. asiaticus genome assembly and annotation based on the application of Oxford Nanopore long-reads sequencing.