Macrophomina phaseolina isolate:Karbala-1 Genome sequencing

This BioProject describes the first draft genome sequence of Macrophomina phaseolina isolated from infected cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants cultivated in Iraq. M. phaseolina is a soil-borne, necrotrophic fungal pathogen responsible for charcoal rot and root rot diseases in more than 500 plant species worldwide. Although the pathogen is well documented globally, genomic information from Middle Eastern isolates, particularly those infecting cucumber under Iraqi agroecological conditions, remains limited.The isolate used in this study was obtained from symptomatic cucumber plants exhibiting root discoloration, vascular browning, and wilting symptoms consistent with charcoal rot disease. Fungal identification was initially confirmed through morphological characterization and subsequently validated using molecular markers targeting the ITS region and species-specific loci. High-quality genomic DNA was extracted from a pure culture and subjected to next-generation sequencing to generate paired-end reads. De novo assembly was performed using optimized bioinformatics pipelines to produce a high-quality draft genome.This draft genome constitutes an important genomic resource for comparative genomics, epidemiological studies, and functional analyses of virulence and host-pathogen interactions. The data will facilitate the identification of molecular markers for pathogen detection, population structure analysis, and the development of sustainable disease management strategies. Moreover, this BioProject contributes to expanding the global genomic database of M. phaseolina, particularly by representing isolates from the Middle East, and supports future research aimed at improving cucumber crop resilience and food security in Iraq.