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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Food Quality Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #327734
Title: Genome sequence of Penicillium solitum RS1, which causes postharvest apple decay

Author
item Yu, Jiujiang
item WU, GUANGXI - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Jurick, Wayne
item Gaskins, Verneta
item YIN, YANBIN - Northern Illinois University
item YIN, GUOHUA - Rutgers University
item BENNET, JOAN - Rutgers University
item Shelton, Daniel

Submitted to: Genome Announcements
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/24/2016
Publication Date: 4/12/2016
Citation: Yu, J., Wu, G., Jurick II, W.M., Gaskins, V.L., Yin, Y., Yin, G., Bennet, J.W., Shelton, D.R. 2016. Genome sequence of Penicillium solitum RS1, which causes postharvest apple decay. Genome Announcements. 4(3):00363.

Interpretive Summary: Penicilliun species causes blue mold apple decay during storage. Penicillium expansum is the most virulent while Penicillium solitum (RS1) is the least virulent. In order to understand the genetic mechanism contributing to fungal virulence, spore germination, and mycotoxin production, the genome of the wild-type strain of P. expansum (R19) was sequenced and reported earlier. Here we report the high quality genome sequence and annotation of the P. solitum (RS1). Comparative analysis of the Penicillium genomes of virulent and least virulent strains as a pair will help us to identify genes involved in the decaying process of pome fruit during storage. The genetic and genome information will help us in devising specific strategies to reduce economic losses to agriculture and to benefit the fruit processing industry.

Technical Abstract: Penicillium species cause postharvest decay, commonly known as blue mold, in pome fruits such as apples and pears. Among the species that cause blue mold, P. expansum is the most virulent and prevalent, while P. solitum is signficantly less virulent. For devising novel strategies to prevent and to reduce economic losses during storage, it is important to identify the genes and master regulators mediating fungal virulence to understand the mechanism(s) of fungal infection. As one of the first steps towards this long-term objective, the draft genome sequence of P. solitum RS1 is reported here for the first time.