Humanity is facing an increasing probability of a global food deficit. The application of genomics is a promising means to improve crop productivity and resilience and feed our expanding population. Next generation DNA sequencing has revolutionised biology. However, the low cost and relative ease in generating draft genome assemblies has led to the production of many genome sequences of questionable quality or applicability.

Methods are urgently required to validate and improve these draft assemblies, together with new tools to translate the advances in genomics to applied crop improvement. We have developed several approaches to assess the quality of draft genome assemblies, identify regions of misassembly and correct assemblies.

These approaches can be applied to a broad range of genomes which have either been completed or are undergoing development. In addition, we have developed methods for high resolution discovery of genetic markers for the assessment of genome evolution and trait association in complex crop genomes. I will give examples of these applications to plant genomes of different size and complexity.