# Characteristics and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Complete Chloroplast Genome of Abelmoschus esculentus

## TL;DR

This study sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of okra to better understand its evolution and taxonomy.

## Contribution

The paper presents the first complete chloroplast genome sequence of Abelmoschus esculentus with phylogenetic analysis.

## Key findings

- The chloroplast genome is 163,121 bp long with a typical tetrad structure.
- A phylogenetic analysis showed close relationships between Abelmoschus esculentus and Hibiscus species.
- The genome contains 132 annotated genes and was deposited in the NCBI database.

## Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. Its medicinal properties and edible value have attracted widespread scientific attention, yet its systematic taxonomy, evolution, and photosynthetic mechanisms warrant further investigation. Chloroplasts, specialized semi-autonomous organelles within green plants, possess their own genetic material and serve as an excellent source of genetic information. This study employed Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology to sequence the complete chloroplast genome of the cultivar ‘Gan Kui No. 1’. The complete chloroplast genome was determined to be 163,121 bp in length, with A, C, G, T, and GC nucleotides accounting for 31.24%, 18.71%, 18.02%, 32.02%, and 36.74% of the total, respectively. It exhibits a classic tetrad structure, comprising one large single-copy region (88,071 bp), one small single-copy region (19,032 bp), and one pair of inverted repeat regions (28,009 bp). The entire chloroplast genome contains 132 annotated genes, including 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, 87 mRNA genes, and 0 pseudogenes. A phylogenetic tree constructed using 20 species, including Abelmoschus esculentus, revealed a clear phylogenetic relationship between the genus Hibiscus and Abelmoschus esculentus. The complete gene sequences have been uploaded to the NCBI database (accession number PX590535). This study provides insights into understanding the evolutionary relationships of Abelmoschus esculentus and refining its taxonomy, laying a theoretical foundation for subsequent research on the Abelmoschus esculentus chloroplast genome.