T2T Pigeon Pea Reference Genome is released in NCBI

T2T Pigeon Pea Reference Genome is released in NCBI

Nucleome Congratulates Dr. N.K. Singh and Team on India’s First Fully Annotated Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Reference Genome of Pigeonpea

We at Nucleome are proud to celebrate a landmark achievement in Indian plant genomics: the development of India’s first fully annotated telomere-to-telomere (T2T) reference genome of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) variety ‘Asha’ (popularly known as Arhar or Tur).

This breakthrough, led by our long-term client and mentor Dr. N.K. Singh (Professor Nagendra K. Singh) at ICAR–National Institute for Plant Biotechnology (NIPB), New Delhi, builds on his pioneering work that delivered the world’s first draft genome of a pulse crop in 2011—the first crop genome sequenced entirely in India—and an improved version in 2017. The new T2T assembly represents the most complete genetic blueprint of this vital pulse crop to date.

Nucleome is privileged to have provided sequencing and analysis support jointly with Dr. Singh’s team for this project. We congratulate Dr. N.K. Singh, the entire ICAR-NIPB team, and all collaborators on this outstanding scientific milestone that strengthens India’s self-reliance in pulses and advances climate-resilient, high-yielding, and nutritious variety development.

Key Genome Statistics (NIPB_CcT2T_4)

• Genome size: 752.65 million base pairs (Mb)
• Assembly: 92 contigs providing complete representation of all 11 chromosomes
• Completeness: All 11 centromeres and 22 telomeres (true chromosome-level, telomere-to-telomere)
• Annotation: 36,557 genes producing 48,008 mRNAs (coding sequences)
• Accuracy: >99.9% transcriptome (RNA-seq) read alignment
• Accession: Deposited in NCBI as the global reference genome (GCF_000230855.2 / related assemblies); released 20 April 2026

This high-quality resource will accelerate gene discovery, pangenome analyses, molecular breeding, and genome-editing applications for important agronomic and nutritional traits—directly supporting India’s Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses and the goal of enhancing productivity, farmer livelihoods, and national food & nutritional security.

Heartfelt congratulations once again to Dr. N.K. Singh and the team! Nucleome remains committed to supporting cutting-edge genomics research that delivers real impact for Indian agriculture.

Explore the reference genome: NCBI – Cajanus cajan genome assembly NIPB_CcT2T_4

#PigeonpeaGenome #T2T #PlantGenomics #ICAR #NIPB #Nucleome #AatmanirbharBharat #PulseResearch