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Bipolaris maydis ATCC 48331 Genome sequencing and assembly
Maize is the most important crop grown in the United States, used not only for direct consumption, but also to feed livestock and more recently as a source for biofuels. Despite the importance of maize, its production is limited by both abiotic and biotic factors. Chronic losses elevate prices of both food and fuel. The agent of SCLB and its sisters have the potential to cause devastating diseases on cereals and as such pose a significant production constraint. Sustainable growth of bioenergy crops depends on our understanding and ability to control plant pathogens. C. heterostrophus, in the Dothideomycetes, is a member one of the largest groups of plant pathogens that affect bioenergy crops.