MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Whole-genome sequencing of global forest pathogen Diplodia sapinea causing pine shoot blight

Summary

This study presents a detailed genetic map of Diplodia sapinea, a fungus that causes serious disease in pine trees worldwide. Researchers sequenced the complete genome of a strain from China and compared it with related fungi to better understand how the pathogen causes disease. The high-quality genetic information provides important tools for scientists to develop better ways to prevent and control pine shoot blight, protecting valuable forests and timber resources.

Background

Diplodia sapinea is a widespread fungal pathogen affecting various pine species globally, causing significant damage to forest ecosystems and the timber industry. The fungus typically exists as a benign endophytic organism in healthy trees but becomes pathogenic under environmental stress conditions such as drought, elevated temperatures, or physical injuries.

Objective

To provide comprehensive genomic resources for the forest pathogen Diplodia sapinea from China, establishing a foundation for future studies on its systematics, population genetics, genomics, and global distribution patterns.

Results

The assembled D. sapinea strain ZXD319 genome spans 36.81 Mb with 14 contigs, GC content of 56.80%, and an N50 value of 2,972,533 bp. The genome contains 11,200 protein-coding genes and 252 non-coding RNAs, with 1,611 potential virulence genes identified. Comparative analysis revealed 11,568 gene clusters and phylogenetic analysis showed close evolutionary relationships with D. corticola and D. seriata.

Conclusion

A high-quality draft genome of D. sapinea has been successfully generated, providing valuable genomic resources for understanding the pathogen’s biological characteristics and pathogenic mechanisms. These data establish a robust foundation for developing effective disease control strategies and conducting future comparative genomic studies on this globally important forest pathogen.
  • Published in:BMC Genomic Data,
  • Study Type:Genomic Characterization Study,
  • Source: 10.1186/s12863-025-01328-z; PMID: 40419994
Scroll to Top