Long-read sequencing analysis of the chloroplast genome in sandalwood (Santalum album L.)

Abstract

Santalum album L. (sandalwood) is a tree species renowned for producing essential oil with high economic value. However, the potential of S. album faces significant challenges due to unsustainable management practices within its natural population. Genetic techniques present a viable solution to mitigating S. album sustainability challenges, offering insights crucial for its conservation and long-term management. Hence, there is a recognised necessity to furnish chloroplast genome information for S. album, thereby augmenting the existing genetic database and facilitating the formulation of effective conservation strategies for the sustainability of this species. This research aims to obtain the long-read sequence data using MinION from Oxford Nanopore Technologies for generating the S. album chloroplast genome, and to analyse genetic relationships of S. album with other species through a phylogenetic tree. The study successfully generated a completed chloroplast genome of S. album, consisting of 143.261 base pairs, which has the potential to be used in various applications of genetic analysis. These applications hold promise for the future of S. album conservation, offering new avenues for sustainable management and preservation.