# Characterisation of the genome and secretome of Phytophthoracryptogea and P.erythroseptica

## TL;DR

This study sequenced the genomes of two related Phytophthora species, providing insights into their genetic makeup and potential targets for controlling plant diseases.

## Contribution

The study provides the first whole-genome sequences and secretome analysis of P. cryptogea and P. erythroseptica.

## Key findings

- The genomes of P. cryptogea and P. erythroseptica were assembled into 52.5 Mb and 74.7 Mb, respectively.
- Phylogenomic analyses confirmed that the two species are sister species within Phytophthora clade 8.
- Secretome analysis may help identify resistance-breeding targets and pathogen control strategies.

## Abstract

Phytophthoracryptogea Pethybr. & Laff. and P.erythroseptica Pethybr. are oomycetes that cause root rot diseases of multiple plant species, including serious diseases of potato. These two species of Phytophthora were originally reported in Ireland more than 100 years ago and are closely related phylogenetically and morphologically similar. Both species have wide host ranges and can hybridise with each other. In this study, we sequenced whole genomes of the ex-type strain of P.cryptogea (CBS 113.19) and the authentic strain of P.erythroseptica (P6180). The genomes of the two isolates were assembled into 52.5 Mb and 74.7 Mb, respectively. A total of 11,654 protein-encoding genes were predicted for P.cryptogea and 15,970 for P.erythroseptica. Phylogenomic analyses of 2012 single-copy orthologous genes and 99 BUSCO genes from the stramenopiles dataset confirmed that they are sister species and show that they belong to Phytophthora clade 8. The secretome analysis of P.erythroseptica P6180, P.cryptogea CBS 418.71 and P.cryptogea CBS 113.19 may provide information for future research on resistance-breeding targets and strategies for pathogen control. This genomic characterisation of the two Phytophthora species provides additional reference data that might be useful for future studies on Phytophthora genetic variation, pathogenicity and biological traits.