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Updated: Jan 17, 2026

A Contrast of Three Inoculation Techniques used to Determine the Race of Unknown Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum Isolates
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A Contrast of Three Inoculation Techniques used to Determine the Race of Unknown Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum Isolates

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Comparative Genomics Reveals Ancient and Unique Pathogenicity Features in Australian Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.

Angel David Popa-Baez1, Linda J Smith2, Warwick N Stiller3

  • 1Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 23, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Australian Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov) strains possess unique genetic traits and accessory chromosomes, distinguishing them from global Fov. This genomic study reveals their distinct evolutionary path and potential for high virulence in cotton.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Plant Pathology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov) is a significant cotton pathogen.
  • Australian Fov strains exhibit unique pathogenicity, independent of nematode interaction, and distinct genetic profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To perform chromosome-level genome assemblies for Australian Fov VCG-01111 and VCG-01112.
  • To investigate the evolutionary history and genetic distinctiveness of Australian Fov.
  • To identify unique genomic features contributing to the virulence of Australian Fov.

Main Methods:

  • Chromosome-level genome assembly using advanced sequencing.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to determine evolutionary divergence.
  • Comparative genomics and functional annotation to identify unique genes and pathways.

Main Results:

  • Achieved gapless genome assemblies with high contiguity and completeness (97.7% BUSCO).
  • Australian Fov lineages diverged >3.6 million years ago; VCGs separated ~1.1 million years ago.
  • Identified four unique accessory chromosomes in Australian isolates, containing lineage-specific genes and peptides.

Conclusions:

  • Australian Fov strains are genetically distinct with a unique evolutionary trajectory.
  • Accessory chromosomes harbor genes potentially contributing to enhanced pathogenicity and virulence.
  • This genomic data provides a foundation for understanding and managing aggressive Australian Fov strains.
Keywords:
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectumFusarium wiltaustralian FOV isolateschromosome-level assemblycomparative genomicspathogen evolution

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