<i>Xanthomonas citri</i> pv. <i>lagerstroemium</i>, Description of a New Pathovar Causing Leaf Spot on Crape Myrtle

Bacterial leaf spot caused by <i>Xanthomonas</i> was reported in 2014 as a new disease of crape myrtle. Unfortunately, this foundational strain was lost, preventing further experimentation, sequencing of the genome, and phylogenetic analysis. This work describes a collection of <i>Xanthomonas</i> strains isolated from angular leaf spot lesions on crape myrtle in North Carolina from 2014 to 2023. This study includes full reference genomes as well as refulfillment of Koch's postulates. Genomes were obtained with hybrid whole genome sequencing using Illumina and Nanopore and assembled to develop robust genomic resources for these disease-causing strains. The completed genomes support inclusion of the strains in the <i>X. citri</i> species group; however, both phylogenetic analysis and the identification of a novel plant host suggest the creation of the new pathovar <i>Xanthomonas citri</i> pv. <i>lagerstroemium.</i>