A high-quality chromosome-scale genome assembly of the Cherokee rose (Rosa laevigata)

Rosa laevigata is an excellent rose germplasm, highly resistant to aphid, and immune to both rose black spot and powdery mildew disease. It is also a well-known edible plant with a long history of medicinal use in China, having the effects of improving kidney function, inhibiting arteriosclerosis, and reducing inflammation. In this study, we assembled a high-quality chromosome-scale genome for R. laevigata by combining Illumina, PacBio, and Hi-C data, which has a length of approximately 494.2 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 68.6 Mb. A total of 493.2 Mb (99.8%) of the draft genome sequences were anchored on seven pseudochromosomes and two gapless pseudochromosomes were included in the final genome assembly. A total of 37,117 protein-coding genes were predicted, 34,047 of which were functionally annotated. Repeat annotation revealed 659,558 (285.6 Mb) repeat elements, accounting for 57.8% of the genome. The chromosome-scale genome provides valuable information to facilitate comparative genomic analysis of rose family and will accelerate genome-guided breeding and germplasm improvement of both R. laevigata itself and modern roses.