Phytophthora cinnamomi isolate Pc2109 genome sequencing

Phytophthora cinnamomi, the causal agent of Phytophthora root rot, is a hemibiothophic pathogen that infects over 5000 plants threatening natural ecosystems, forestry, and agriculture. Genomic studies of P. cinnamomi are limited compared to other Phytophthora spp. despite the importance of this invasive global pathogen. In this study, we constructed de novo genome assemblies of two genetically and phenotypically distinct California P. cinnamomi isolates from avocado and used RNAseq to assess their expression profile of one of them when infected several hosts. This study will generate new genomic and transcriptomic resources that can aid in the development of control methods such the design of DNA- or protein-based diagnostic tools and the selection of candidate genes for functional studies in P. cinnamomi to better understand their contributions to pathogenicity or virulence to identified their corresponding plant susceptibility factors and develop P. cinnamomi-resistant plants.