of necessity; if one were to sequence the tetraploid genome without model diploid genomes, the euchromatic DNA sequences of the AD genomes would co-assemble and the repetitive elements of AD genomes would assembly independently into A and D sequences, respectively. Then there would be no way to untangle the mess of AD sequences without comparing them to their diploid counterparts. The public sector effort continues with the goal to create a high-quality, draft genome sequence from reads generated by all sources. The public-sector effort has generated Sanger reads of BACs, fosmids, and plasmids, as well as 454 reads. These later types of reads will be instrumental in assembling an initial draft of the D genome. In 2010, two companies (Monsanto and Illumina), completed enough Illumina sequencing to cover the D genome of G. raimondii about 50x. They announced they would donate their raw reads to the public. This public relations effort gave them some recognition for sequencing the cotton genome. Once the D genome is assembled from all of this raw material, it will undoubtedly assist in the assembly of the AD genomes of cultivated varieties of cotton, but a lot of hard work remains. Cotton pests and diseases Pests Boll weevil, Anthonomus grandisCotton aphid, Aphis gossypiiCotton stainer, Dysdercus koenigiiCotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea, and native budworm, Helicoverpa punctigera, are caterpillars that damage cotton crops. Some other Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) larvae also feed on cotton – see list of Lepidoptera that feed on cotton plants. Green mirid (Creontiades dilutus), a sucking insect Spider mites, Tetranychus urticae, T. ludeni and T. lambiThrips, Thrips tabaci and Frankliniella schultzeiDiseases Alternaria leaf spot, caused by Alternaria macrospora and Alternaria alternataAnthracnose boll rot, caused by Colletotrichum gossypiiBlack root rot, caused by the fungus Thielaviopsis basicolaBlight caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum Fusarium boll rot caused by Fusarium spp. Phytophthora boll rot, caused by Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica Sclerotinia boll rot, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Stigmatomycosis, caused by the fungi Ashbya gossypii, Eremothecium coryli, (Nematospora coryli) and Aureobasidium pullulans Gallery See also Vegetable Lamb of Tartary, a European legendary plant remotely based on cotton. References External links Central Institute for Cotton Research – located in India. Fiber plants Energy crops Biofuels Fodder Non-food crops Malvaceae genera Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus