Identification and diversity analysis of fungi is greatly challenging. Though internal transcribed spacer (ITS), region-based DNA fingerprinting works as a “gold standard” for most of the fungal species group, it cannot differentiate between all the groups and cryptic species. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to find an alternative approach for strain differentiation. Availability of whole genome sequence data of nearly 2000 fungal species are a promising solution to such requirement. We present whole genome sequence-based world’s largest microsatellite database, FungSatDB having >19M loci obtained from >1900 fungal species/strains using >4000 assemblies across globe. Genotyping efficacy of FungSatDB has been evaluated by both in-silico and in-vitro PCR. By in silico PCR, 66 strains of 8 countries representing four continents were successfully differentiated. Genotyping efficacy was also evaluated by in vitro PCR in four fungal species. This approach overcomes limitation of ITS in species, strain signature, and diversity analysis. It can accelerate fungal genomic research endeavors in agriculture, industrial, and environmental management.

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) crop is major source of edible oil and protein for human and animals besides its various industrial uses including biofuels. Phytoplasma induced floral bud distortion syndrome (FBD), also known as witches’ broom syndrome (WBS) has been one of the major biotic stresses adversely affecting its productivity. Transcriptomic approach can be used for knowledge discovery of this disease manifestation by morpho-physiological key pathways. We report transcriptomic study using Illumina HiSeq NGS data of FBD in soybean, revealing 17,454 differentially expressed genes, 5561 transcription factors, 139 pathways and 176,029 genic region putative markers single sequence repeats, single nucleotide polymorphism and Insertion Deletion. Roles of PmbA, Zn-dependent protease, SAP family and auxin responsive system are described revealing mechanism of flower bud distortion having abnormalities in pollen, stigma development. Validation of 10 randomly selected genes was done by qPCR. Our findings describe the basic mechanism of FBD disease, right from sensing of phytoplasma infection by host plant triggering molecular signalling leading to mobilization of carbohydrate and protein, phyllody, abnormal pollen development, improved colonization of insect in host plants to spread the disease. Study reveals how phytoplasma hijacks metabolic machinery of soybean manifesting FBD. This is the first report of transcriptomic signature of FBD or WBS disease of soybean revealing morphological and metabolic changes which attracts insect for spread of disease. All the genic region putative markers may be used as genomic resource for variety improvement and new agro-chemical development for disease control to enhance soybean productivity.

Genus Vigna represented by more than 100 species is a source of nutritious edible seeds and sprouts that are rich sources of protein and dietary supplements. It is further valuable because of therapeutic attributes due to its antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. A highly diverse and an extremely ecological niche of different species can be valuable genomic resources for productivity enhancement. It is one of the most underutilized crops for food security and animal feeds. In spite of huge species diversity, only three species of Vigna have been sequenced; thus, there is a need for molecular markers for the remaining species. Computational approach of microsatellite marker discovery along with evaluation of polymorphism utilizing available genomic data of different genotypes can be a quick and an economical approach for genomic resource development. Cross-species transferability by e-PCR over available genomes can further prioritize the potential SSR markers, which could be used for genetic diversity and population differentiation of the remaining species saving cost and time. We present VigSatDB-the world's first comprehensive microsatellite database of genus Vigna, containing >875 K putative microsatellite markers with 772 354 simple and 103 865 compound markers mined from six genome assemblies of three Vigna species, namely, Vigna radiata (Mung bean), Vigna angularis (Adzuki bean) and Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea). It also contains 1976 validated published markers. Markers can be selected on the basis of chromosomes/location specificity, and primers can be generated using Primer3core tool integrated at backend. Efficacy of VigSatDB for microsatellite loci genotyping has been evaluated by 15 markers over a panel of 10 diverse genotype of V. radiata. Our web genomic resources can be used in diversity analysis, population and varietal differentiation, discovery of quantitative trait loci/genes, marker-assisted varietal improvement in endeavor of Vigna crop productivity and management.

Background: Carp fish, rohu (Labeo rohita Ham.) is important freshwater aquaculture species of South-East Asia having seasonal reproductive rhythm. There is no holistic study at transcriptome level revealing key candidate genes involved in such circannual rhythm regulated by biological clock genes (BCGs). Seasonality manifestation has two contrasting phases of reproduction, i.e., post-spawning resting and initiation of gonadal activity appropriate for revealing the associated candidate genes. It can be deciphered by RNA sequencing of tissues involved in BPGL (Brain-Pituitary-Gonad-Liver) axis controlling seasonality. How far such BCGs of this fish are evolutionarily conserved across different phyla is unknown. Such study can be of further use to enhance fish productivity as seasonality restricts seed production beyond monsoon season. Result: A total of similar to 150 Gb of transcriptomic data of four tissues viz., BPGL were generated using Illumina TruSeq. De-novo assembled BPGL tissues revealed 75,554 differentially expressed transcripts, 115,534 SSRs, 65,584 SNPs, 514 pathways, 5379 transcription factors, 187 mature miRNA which regulates candidate genes represented by 1576 differentially expressed transcripts are available in the form of web-genomic resources. Findings were validated by qPCR. This is the first report in carp fish having 32 BCGs, found widely conserved in fish, amphibian, reptile, birds, prototheria, marsupials and placental mammals. This is due to universal mechanism of rhythmicity in response to environment and earth rotation having adaptive and reproductive significance. Conclusion: This study elucidates evolutionary conserved mechanism of photo-periodism sensing, neuroendocrine secretion, metabolism and yolk synthesis in liver, gonadal maturation, muscular growth with sensory and auditory perception in this fish. Study reveals fish as a good model for research on biological clock besides its relevance in reproductive efficiency enhancement.