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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Genetics and Breeding Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #423055
Research Project: Genomics and Genetic Improvement of Crop Resistance to Multiple Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Peanut

Location: Crop Genetics and Breeding Research

Title: Draft genome assemblies of 38 Aspergillus parasiticus isolates collected from South Georgia crop fields

Author
item GANGURDE, SUNIL - University Of Georgia
item ASIJA, SEJAL - University Of Georgia
item BAJAJ, PRASAD - International Crops Research Institute For Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) - India
item FOUNTAIN, JAKE - University Of Georgia
item Abbas, Hamed
item Holbrook Jr, C
item KEMERAIT, ROBERT - University Of Georgia
item Guo, Baozhu

Submitted to: Microbiology Resource Announcements
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/2025
Publication Date: 9/12/2025
Citation: Gangurde, S.S., Asija, S., Bajaj, P., Fountain, J.C., Abbas, H.K., Holbrook Jr, C.C., Kemerait, R.C., Guo, B. 2025. Draft genome assemblies of 38 Aspergillus parasiticus isolates collected from South Georgia crop fields. Microbiology Resource Announcements. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00083-25.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00083-25

Interpretive Summary: Genome sequences have been valuable for genomics-assisted studies for gene functional characterization and primary and secondary metabolic pathways. Aspergillus parasiticus is an opportunistic pathogen in corn and peanut. These fungi produce carcinogenic aflatoxins with extensive variation in production among isolates ranging from atoxigenic to highly toxigenic. Here, we conducted whole genome sequences of A. parasiticus, isolates collected from South Georgia crop fields. These genome sequences will be released to public database such as GenBank and will be used in comparative, functional, and phylogenetic studies in order to search mitigation strategies of aflatoxin contamination in these commodities.

Technical Abstract: Aspergillus parasiticus is a fungus recognized for producing highly carcinogenic mycotoxins. In this study, we collected 38 isolates of A. parasiticus from fields in in South Georgia. We performed whole genome sequencing and developed 38 draft genome assemblies of A. parasiticus. The average genome size was 38.7 Mb, with larger genomes (~40 Mb) found in peanut fields in Turner County. Scaffold N50 was recorded highest for isolates collected from the corn field of Tifton. Maximum scaffold size was recorded for isolates collected from corn field of Turner County. The genome sequences generated for these 38 isolates will serve as a valuable genomic resource for the community working on aflatoxin mitigation strategies in crops.