This genome was sequenced as part of the CSP proposal "Defensive Mutualisms Between Fungal Root Endophytes and Soybean". Fungal endophytes are ubiquitous symbionts of land plants, including most bioenergy and agricultural crops. Many have been shown to confer resistance to various abiotic stresses such as drought and heat stress. Others form “defensive mutualisms” that protect plants from biotic stressors such as herbivores and other microbial pathogens, often through the production of antagonistic secondary metabolites.
Purpureocillium lilacinum is a species of filamentous fungus in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae. It has been isolated from a wide range of habitats, including cultivated and uncultivated soils, forests, grassland, deserts, estuarine sediments, sewage sludge, and insects. It has also been found in nematode eggs, and occasionally from females of root-knot and cyst nematodes. Several successful field trials using P. lilacinum against pest nematodes were conducted in Peru. In addition, it has frequently been detected in the rhizosphere of many crops.
Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI (Dr. Kathryn Bushley) and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master paper(s).
