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Updated: Aug 11, 2025
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Purification of High Molecular Weight Genomic DNA from Powdery Mildew for Long-Read Sequencing
Published on: March 31, 2017
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A Genomic Resource for the Strawberry Powdery Mildew Pathogen Podosphaera aphanis
Thomas Heaven1,2, Helen M Cockerton1,3, Xiangming Xu1
1NIAB, New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, U.K.
Phytopathology
|February 4, 2023
Summary
This study presents the first genome assembly for Podosphaera aphanis, the fungus causing powdery mildew in strawberries. This resource aids research into strawberry-fungal interactions and disease management.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Plant Pathology
- Mycology
Background:
- Powdery mildew significantly impacts protected strawberry cultivation, causing substantial economic losses.
- Podosphaera aphanis is the fungal pathogen responsible for strawberry powdery mildew.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate the first genome assembly for Podosphaera aphanis.
- To provide a foundational molecular resource for understanding strawberry-powdery mildew interactions.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing of Podosphaera aphanis from infected Fragaria × ananassa.
- Bioinformatic assembly and annotation of sequencing reads.
- Assessment of genome completeness using conserved Ascomycete genes.
Main Results:
- A 55.6 Mb genome assembly comprising 12,357 contigs was generated.
- Annotation predicted 17,239 genes encoding 17,328 proteins.
- The genome assembly demonstrated high completeness (97.5% of conserved single-copy Ascomycete genes).
Conclusions:
- The annotated Podosphaera aphanis genome is a valuable resource for studying strawberry powdery mildew.
- This genomic data will facilitate future research into host-pathogen dynamics.
- Understanding these interactions can lead to improved disease control strategies in strawberry production.
