Genome sequence and annotation of Periconia digitata, a promising biocontrol agent of phytopathogenic oomycetes
The ascomycete fungus genus of Periconia is assigned to the family of Periconiaceae. To date, only 27 species among this genus have been confirmed by molecular data. Although the genus Periconia is present in many habitats, little is known about its ecology. Some species produce molecules exhibiting biological activities including antimicrobial (bacteria, fungi), antiviral, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity that make them of biotechnological interest. P. digitata strain extracts were shown to be deadly active on the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, responsible for dramatic losses to pine forests. Besides, Periconia (strain CNCM I-4278) has been shown to inhibit growth and cyst germination of the plant pathogen Phytophthora parasitica with no phytotoxicity. The Periconia CNCM I-4278 is now accurately identified as Periconia digitata by generating ITS and 28S sequences. Owing to its great potential, and the fact that the only genome available in the Periconiaceae family is that of Periconia macrospinosa, -omics data from P. digitata CNCM I-4278 are required. Using a PacBio Hifi sequencing technology, we obtained a high-quality, chromosome-scale, and telomere-to-telomere genome for P. digitata CNCM I-4278. This genome is also associated with transcriptomic and proteomic data that tremendously strengthen the annotation of this outstanding resource.  Apart from being the new reference genome for Periconiaceae, this work will also contribute to bringing new insight into the Pleosporales, which account for more than 4700 species.