Population genomic analysis of Macrophomina phaseolina isolated from soybean and dry bean across the US, Puerto Rico, and Colombia

Macrophomina phaseolina is a seed- and soil-borne fungal pathogen causing charcoal rot in many important crops worldwide. Charcoal rot significantly reduces yield and seed quality of soybean and dry bean and has been recognized as a warm climate-driven disease of increasing concern under global climate change. A population genomic analysis of 95 M. phaseolina isolates collected from soybean and dry bean across the continental US, Puerto Rico, and Colombia revealed geographic structure and diversification associated to climate. Our study provides fundamental knowledge of population structure and investigates climate adaptation in phytopathogens. Further, our results provide information that can be used for isolate selection in charcoal rot resistance screening of soybean breeding material going forward.