Genomic resources for three Sarocladium zeae isolates from maize

Sarocladium zeae is a protective fungal endophyte of maize with potential as a biological control agent because of its ability to suppress mycotoxin contamination through the production of secondary metabolites such as pyrrocidines. Here, we report high-quality genome assemblies for three S. zeae isolates, with assembly sizes ranging from 31.57 Mb to 31.74 Mb, N50 values from 3.73 Mb to 3.78 Mb, and BUSCO completeness scores of >98% and >95% against the fungi and Hypocreales databases, respectively. Comparative analysis revealed high genome-wide collinearity and sequence identity among the three isolates. Genome annotation predicted >9,600 protein-coding genes assigned to >7,200 protein families, as well as 965 to 989 proteins with signal peptides, 2,225 to 2,259 transmembrane proteins, and 31 to 33 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. These genomes expand the genomic resources available for S. zeae and will support future studies of the species’ genome evolution, secondary metabolism, and its interactions with maize and other microbes.