Genome Assembly and Annotation of the Alfalfa Cyst Nematode (Heterodera medicaginis)

The alfalfa cyst nematode (Heterodera medicaginis) is an invasive and pathogenic species parasitizing the agriculturally important forage crop alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). To date, no genome assembly of H. medicaginis has been reported in the literature. In this study, for the first time, we assembled a draft genome of this species. This research is important as it provides genomic insights into a damaging pest recently discovered in the United States that affects the third most valuable crop in the country.