This genome announcement includes draft genomes from Claviceps purpurea s.lat., including C. arundinis , C. humidiphila and C. cf. spartinae . The draft genomes of Davidsoniella eucalypti, Quambalaria eucalypti and Teratosphaeria destructans, all three important eucalyptus pathogens, are presented. The insect associate Grosmannia galeiformis is also described. The pine pathogen genome of Fusarium circinatum has been assembled into pseudomolecules, based on additional sequence data and by harnessing the known synteny within the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex. This new assembly of the F. circinatum genome provides 12 pseudomolecules that correspond to the haploid chromosome number of F. circinatum . These are comparable to other chromosomal assemblies within the FFSC and will enable more robust genomic comparisons within this species complex.

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Research into ergot alkaloid production in major cereal cash crops is crucial for furthering our understanding of the potential toxicological impacts of Claviceps purpurea upon Canadian agriculture and to ensure consumer safety. An untargeted metabolomics approach profiling extracts of C. purpurea sclerotia from four different grain crops separated the C. purpurea strains into two distinct metabolomic classes based on ergot alkaloid content. Variances in C. purpurea alkaloid profiles were correlated to genetic differences within the lpsA gene of the ergot alkaloid biosynthetic gene cluster from previously published genomes and from newly sequenced, long-read genome assemblies of Canadian strains. Based on gene cluster composition and unique polymorphisms, we hypothesize that the alkaloid content of C. purpurea sclerotia is currently undergoing adaptation. The patterns of lpsA gene diversity described in this small subset of Canadian strains provides a remarkable framework for understanding accelerated evolution of ergot alkaloid production in Claviceps purpurea.

A taxonomic revision of the hitherto monotypic genus Blumeria was conducted incorporating multi-gene sequence analyses, host preference data and morphological criteria. The sequenced loci included rDNA ITS, partial chitin synthase gene ( CHS 1), as well as fragments of two unnamed orthologous genes ( Bgt-1929 , Bgt-4572 ). The combined evidence led to a reassessment and a new neotypification of B. graminis s. str. (emend.), and the description of seven additional species, viz. B. americana sp. nov. (mainly on hosts of the Triticeae ), B. avenae sp. nov. (on Avena spp.), B. bromi-cathartici sp. nov. (on Bromus catharticus ), B. bulbigera comb. nov. (on Bromus spp.), B. dactylidis sp. nov. (on Dactylis glomerata as the main host, but also on various other hosts), B. graminicola sp. nov. (on Poa spp. as principal hosts, but also on various other hosts), and B. hordei sp. nov. (on Hordeum spp .). Synonyms were assessed, some were lectotypified, and questionable names previously associated with powdery mildew on monocots were discussed although their identities remained unresolved. Keys to the described species were developed.

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