The genome of Theobroma cacao

Xavier Argout and colleagues report the draft genome of Theobroma cacao, the tropical crop that is the source of chocolate. The sequence assembly covers approximately 80% of the genome. We sequenced and assembled the draft genome of Theobroma cacao, an economically important tropical-fruit tree crop that is the source of chocolate. This assembly corresponds to 76% of the estimated genome size and contains almost all previously described genes, with 82% of these genes anchored on the 10 T. cacao chromosomes. Analysis of this sequence information highlighted specific expansion of some gene families during evolution, for example, flavonoid-related genes. It also provides a major source of candidate genes for T.…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• AF
  Agropolis Fondation
• AN
  Agence Nationale de la Recherche
• CD
  Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement