Evolution of pathogenicity-associated genes in Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA by genome duplication and transposon-mediated gene function alterations

<em>Rhizoctonia solani</em> is a polyphagous fungal pathogen that causes diseases in crops. The fungal strains are classified into anastomosis groups (AGs), however, genomic complexity, diversification into the AGs, and the evolution of pathogenicity-associated genes remain poorly understood. In this study, using long-read sequencing technology, we have assembled the genome of a pathogenic strain of <em>R. solani</em> AG1-IA (BRS1, an Indian isolate) that causes sheath blight disease in rice. Further, through genome sequencing and comparative sequence analysis, we unravel diversity among <em>R. solani</em> AG1-IA isolates