Alternaria alternata apple and pear pathotypes Genome sequencing and assembly. Alternaria alternata

Host specific pathotypes of Alternaria alternata causes significant economic loss on apple and pear in their native ranges. Increased movement of plant material threatens spread of these diseases. Genome sequencing of these strains allows study of the conditionally dispensable chromosomes that host specific pathotypes carry, providing understanding of the basis of pathogenicity and resources for pathotype-specific diagnostics.