Draft genome sequences of four isolates of the fungus, Neofusicoccum parvum, that are pathogenic on hemp (Cannabis sativa)

Authors: ZIMA, HANNAH - University Of Arkansas; DHILLON, BRAHAM - University Of Florida; Feng, Chunda; LIU, BO - University Of New Hampshire; VILLARROEL-ZEBALLOSA, MARIA - University Of Arkansas; BLUHM, BURT - University Of Arkansas; CORRELL, JAMES - University Of Arkansas

Submitted to: Microbiology Resource Announcements
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2024
Publication Date: 4/29/2024
Citation: Zima, H.V., Dhillon, B., Feng, C., Liu, B., Villarroel-Zeballosa, M.I., Bluhm, B.H., Correll, J.C. 2024. Draft genome sequences of four isolates of the fungus, Neofusicoccum parvum, that are pathogenic on hemp (Cannabis sativa). Microbiology Resource Announcements. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.01248-23.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.01248-23

Interpretive Summary: A fungal pathogen Neofusicoccum parvum can infect a wide range of plants, such as grapes, cacao, strawberry, and hemp, and causes dieback and stem canker diseases, resulting in severe losses of crop production. Four strains of N. parvum isolated from hemp plants have been sequenced, and the genome sequences had high identities to the isolates collected from diverse hosts and geographic origins. The genome resources generated from this research could be useful for studying and managing the dieback disease of hemp as well as other plants caused by this pathogen.

Technical Abstract: The fungal pathogen Neofusicoccum parvum can cause dieback and stem canker disease on hemp (Cannabis sativa). Four Isolates of N. parvum, collected from diseased hemp plants over a period of two years, have been sequenced. Their genome sizes ranged between 42.8 - 44.4 Mb, with 16,499 ± 72 predicted genes across the four isolates, and the genome sequences had high identities to the isolates collected from diverse hosts and geographic origins.