Six De Novo Assemblies from Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Strains of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum

Abstract

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon), is a soilborne disease that significantly limits yield in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and occasionally causes the loss of an entire year's harvest. Reference-quality de novo genomic assemblies of pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains were generated using a combination of next-generation and third-generation sequencing technologies. Chromosomal-level genomes were produced with representatives from three Fon races, facilitating comparative genomic analysis and the identification of chromosomal structural variation. Syntenic analysis between isolates allowed for differentiation of the core and lineage-specific portions of their genomes. This research will support future efforts to refine the scientific understanding of the molecular and genetic factors underpinning the Fon host range, develop diagnostic assays for each of the four races, and decipher the evolutionary history of race 3. [Figure: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Keywords

• watermelon
• comparative genomics
• synteny
• structural variants