Whole genome sequencing of Tilletia laevis, the fungal pathogen causing common bunt

Tilletia laevis is a fungal pathogen that causes the severe wheat disease known as common bunt, which is widespread in wheat-growing areas worldwide. Nevertheless, insufficient genome data hinders research at the molecular level. In this study, we reported a high-quality whole genome assembly of T. laevis isolated from China utilizing the integration of Illumina and PacBio sequencing technologies. The genome assembly consisted of 40 contigs with a total length of 38.09 Mb, a contig N50 of 1.50 Mb, and a maximum contig length of 2.61 Mb. The genome encoded 10,682 genes, with a notable enrichment of metabolism-related genes identified by functional annotations. The comparative genomic analysis was conducted between this assembly and closely related Tilletia strains, revealing its evolutionary trajectory. Overall, the genome assembly is currently the most continuous genome for T. laevis, facilitating future research on the pathogenic mechanism and control of this pathogen.