Transcriptomic resources for prairie grass (Bromus catharticus): expressed transcripts, tissue-specific genes, and identification and validation of EST-SSR markers

Abstract Background Prairie grass ( Bromus catharticus ) is a typical cool-season forage crop with high biomass production and fast growth rate during winter spring. However, its genetic research breeding has remained stagnant due to limited available genomic resources. The aim of this study was generate large-scale data using high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, perform preliminary validation EST-SSR markers B. . Results Eleven tissue samples including seeds, leaves, stems were collected from new high-yield strain prairie BCS1103. A total 257,773 unigenes obtained, which 193,082 (74.90%) annotated. Comparison analysis between tissues identified 1803, 3030, 1570 genes specifically highly expressed in seed, leaf, stem, respectively. 37,288 EST-SSRs unigene sequences, more than 80,000 primer pairs designed. We synthesized 420 selected 52 ones polymorphisms estimate diversity population structure 24 accessions worldwide. Despite low indicated by an average distance 0.364, the South America Asia wild showed higher diversity. Moreover, American pure ancestry, while Asian demonstrated mixed internal relationships, different probability gene flow. Phylogenetic clustered studied into four clades, being consistent phenotypic clustering results. Finally, Mantel suggested variation mostly contributed component. Stem diameter, plant height, leaf width, yield significantly correlated r > 0.6, P < 0.001), might be used future selection breeding. Conclusion resource generated that could benefit taxonomic studies, as well molecular for relatives future.