spp. and : Phylogeny, Genomics-Based Taxonomy, Pathogenicity, and Diagnostics.

The genus of , belonging to the family of the order, includes economically significant pathogenic bacteria of soybeans and other agricultural crops. Thorough phylogenetic and full-genome analysis using the latest genomic data has demonstrated a complex and contradictory taxonomic picture within the group of organisms classified as the species. Based on these data, it is possible to delineate about 50 new species and to reclassify a substantial part of the strains. It is suggested that 53 strains, including most of the pathovars, can compose a monophyletic group classified as . A genomic analysis using the most recent inventory of bacterial chromosomal and plasmid genomes deposited to GenBank confirmed the possible role of plasmids in pathogenicity and demonstrated the existence of a group of related plasmids carrying virulence factors and possessing a gene distantly related to DNA polymerase found in bacteriophages and archaeal and eukaryotic viruses. A PCR diagnostic assay specific to the genus was developed and tested. The presented results assist in the understanding of the evolutionary relations within the genus and can lay the foundation for further taxonomic updates.