The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola is responsible for production losses in rice (Oryza sativa) in Asia and Latin America. The accession TOG5681 of African rice, O. glaberrima, presents improved resistance to several biotic and abiotic factors, including nematodes. The aim of this study was to assess the molecular mechanisms underlying nematode resistance or susceptibility in rice plants.
Rice molecular responses to M. graminicola were assessed by root transcriptome profiling at several days post- infection (dpi). For the susceptible host (O. sativa Nipponbare), RNA-seq data were obtained from 10 libraries coming from two biological replicates (1 and 2) of the following samples: mock-inoculated rice root tips as plant controls (NipC) and M. graminicola-infected rice root tips collected at 2 dpi, 4 dpi, 8 dpi, 12 dpi or 16 dpi (Nip2dpi, Nip4dpi, Nip8dpi, Nip12dpi, Nip16dpi). For the resistant accession (Oryza glaberrima TOG5681), RNA-seq data were obtained from 8 libraries coming from two biological replicates (1 and 2) of the following samples: mock-inoculated rice root tips as plant controls (TogC) and M. graminicola infected rice root tips collected at 2 dpi, 4 dpi, and 8 dpi (Tog2dpi, Tog4dpi, Tog8dpi).
This study provides a novel set of candidate genes for rice resistance to nematodes and highlights the rice-M. graminicola pathosystem as a model to study plant-nematode incompatible interactions.
(2022-12-20)