Comparative genomics of Eastern-Indian Ustilaginoidea virens strain NRRI-FSM-1 at whole-genome level unravels genome evolution and genetic plasticity (opens in new tab)

IntroductionRice false smut (RFS), caused by Ustilaginoidea virens (teleomorph: Villosiclava virens), has emerged as a major global threat to rice production, causing reductions in yield, grain quality, and market value. Although first reported in India in the 1870s, genomic resources for this pathogen remain limited, constraining efforts toward understanding pathogen diversity and developing effective disease management strategies.MethodsIn the present study, a high-quality whole-genome sequ...