European ash pangenome reveals widespread structural variation and genetic basis of low ash dieback susceptibility.

A European ash pangenome uncovers 362,965 structural variants and identifies genetic markers linked to low ash dieback susceptibility in over 1,200 trees.

• Why it matters: Understanding genetic factors behind resistance to ash dieback disease (ADB) is crucial for conserving Fraxinus excelsior populations, which are severely declining due to this pathogen.
• What they did: Researchers constructed a comprehensive pangenome from fifty diverse samples, capturing extensive sequence variability and identifying dispensable genes and structural variants, then analyzed data from more than 1,200 individuals.
• The result: They discovered 220 SNPs with consistent allele frequency differences between healthy and highly damaged trees, revealing a shared genetic basis for low ADB susceptibility that can inform future conservation and breeding efforts.