| Summary: | Fusarium wilt is caused by the fungus <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> f. sp. <i>cubense</i> (<i>Foc</i>) and is the most serious disease affecting bananas (<i>Musa</i> spp.). The fungus is classified into <i>Foc</i> race 1 (R1), <i>Foc</i> race 2, and <i>Foc</i> race 4 based on host specificity. As the rate of spread and the ranges of the devastation of the <i>Foc</i> races exceed the centre of the banana’s origin, even in non-targeted cultivars, there is a possibility of variation in virulence-associated genes. Therefore, the present study investigates the genome assembly of <i>Foc</i> races that infect the Cavendish (AAA) banana group in India, specifically those of the vegetative compatibility group (VCG) 0124 (race 1), 0120 (subtropical race 4), and 01213/16 (tropical race 4). While comparing the general features of the genome sequences (e.g., RNAs, GO, SNPs, and InDels), the study also looked at transposable elements, phylogenetic relationships, and virulence-associated effector genes, and sought insights into race-specific molecular mechanisms of infection based on the presence of unique genes. The results of the analyses revealed variations in the organisation of genome assembly and virulence-associated genes, specifically secreted in xylem (SIX) genes, when compared to their respective reference genomes. The findings contributed to a better understanding of Indian <i>Foc</i> genomes, which will aid in the development of effective Fusarium wilt management techniques for various Foc VCGs in India and beyond.
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