Fusarium cerealis isolate:F-23-4.4 Genome sequencing

Fusarium cerealis is a toxin-producing plant pathogen that can infect a variety of economically important cereal crops, including corn, wheat, and oats. Among the toxic secondary metabolites produced by F. cerealis, nivalenol (NIV) is a mycotoxin that poses risks to both plant health and food safety. Genomes of plant-pathogenic fungi are replete with an array of virulence genes that encode various secondary metabolites, which play critical roles in the incidence and severity of diseases. The goal of this project is to present the first comprehensive high-quality genome assembly of F. cerealis, achieved through the utilization of long-read sequencing. This newly generated draft genome represents a vital resource that will facilitate future research endeavors aimed at exploring the genomic characteristics of pathogenic F. cerealis species prevalent in the Midwest, with a focus on identifying novel secondary metabolites that may contribute to their virulence and adaptability in diverse agricultural environments.