Haplotype-resolved genome of autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Regen-SY27x uncovers large scale structural variation and resistance gene dynamics
Polyploid genome assembly presents unique challenges due to extensive heterozygosity and complex haplotype structure. We report a haplotype-resolved, chromosome-scale assembly of Regen-SY27x, a genotype of autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa), which is widely used for genetic modification because of its excellent regenerative capacity in tissue culture. Using PacBio HiFi long reads, Omni-C scaffolding, and linkage map guided phasing, we generated a 3.2 GB assembly comprising four haplotypes with high contiguity and completeness. Kmer-based validation confirmed accurate haplotype separation, while linkage map integration and dotplot analysis identified and corrected chimeric scaffolds. Gene annotation yielded 221,688 protein-coding genes, with more than 99% assigned to pseudochromosomes. Repetitive elements accounted for 62.7% of the genome, dominated by long terminal repeat retrotransposons and a high fraction of Helitrons. The spatial enrichment of Helitrons within gene-dense distal chromosome arms underscores their pivotal role as key drivers of genomic innovation and gene family expansion. We identified 3,696 nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat R genes, with Toll/interleukin-1 receptor-like and Rx-type subclasses forming large tandem clusters across haplotypes. Comparative analyses revealed strong macrosyntenic conservation among Regen-SY27x and the publicly available Chinese alfalfa genomes but extensive structural variation both within Regen-SY27x haplotypes and between Regen-SY27x and the Chinese genotypes with tens of thousands of duplications, inversions, and translocations detected. These results demonstrate that a single autotetraploid individual captures extensive structural diversity, but individuals from different populations vary greatly. The Regen-SY27x assembly provides a foundational genomic resource for investigating polyploid genome evolution and identifying genetic variation relevant to biological and agronomic improvement in alfalfa. Article SummaryThis study presents the first chromosome-scale, haplotype-resolved genome assembly of the US alfalfa germplasm, Regen-SY27x, a key alfalfa genotype used widely for genetic engineering. We integrated HiFi long reads, Omni-CTM scaffolding, and linkage map-guided phasing to reconstruct all four haplotypes of this complex autotetraploid. Our results identified 221,688 protein-coding genes and reveal immense intra-individual structural variations dominated by small duplications. This high-quality reference serves as a foundational tool for the alfalfa community, enabling researchers to link complex structural diversity with agronomic traits and further enhance the biotechnological potential of this essential forage crop.