The invention is generally related to compositions and methods related to novel centromere sequences identified in cotton, and resulting recombinant DNA constructs, such as minichromosomes, made using such sequences. Minichromosomes with novel compositions and structures can be used, for example, to transform plant cells that are in turn used to generate minichromosome-harboring plants. The invention is directed to products of such plants, including oil and textiles. The invention is also directed to novel methods for identifying centromere sequences.
