A new Genomic resource for Populus nigra and its deployment for genetic studies

Black poplar (Populus nigra L., Salicaceae) is an Eurasian native species distributed within fluvial corridors. As a pioneer species, P. nigra plays an important role in the establishment of riparian ecosystems. The species has important adaptive performances that have promoted Black poplar as a parental pool in interspecific breeding programs world-wide. Until recently, there is no genomic resource in black poplar to support genetic diversities studies and breeding. INRA, University of Southampton, University of Udine and IGA were collaborating to develop genomic resources and genetic tools for black poplar. SNPs were discovered using whole genome sequencing of 51 individuals relevant of the genetic diversity of an association population covering the range of the species in Western Europe. Four individuals were selected and sequenced at coverage > 25X and 47 at coverage