Project description:Magnaporthe oryzae (rice blast) and the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola are causing two of the most important pathogenic diseases jeopardizing rice production. Here, we show that root-knot nematode infestation on rice roots leads to important above-ground changes in plant immunity gene expression, which is correlated with significantly enhanced susceptibility to blast disease.
Project description:Guava (Psidium guajava), referred to as the "tropical apple," is esteemed for its sweet flavor, nutritional density, and medicinal attributes, being rich in ascorbic acid, phenolics, carotenoids, fibers, and minerals. Despite its agricultural significance, guava cultivation faces considerable challenges from plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN), particularly root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.). In South America, Meloidogyne enterolobii causes severe root damage and economic losses to this crop. Plants fight nematodes through complex immune mechanisms involving pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and signaling pathways, such as pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). The present research employed comparative shotgun proteomic analysis complemented by microscopic imaging and histochemical assays of roots from susceptible Psidium guajava and resistant P. guineense, inoculated or not with M. enterolobii, Plant-nematode interactions revealed intricate cellular responses such as giant cells formation, hypersensitivity reactions, and biochemical pathway adjustments in sucrose transport and antioxidant enzyme activities. Synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites like terpenes, alkaloids, and phenolics in inoculated and resistant plants were positively correlated to plant resilience. The 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) emerged as pivotal in plant response, being upregulated during nematode infection.
Project description:High-coverage whole genome sequencing of 11 Brazilian isolates of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita, presenting different host plant preferences and different geographical origins. Four M. incognita host races had been proposed in the past, based on host (in)compatibility on four different plant strains. The objective was to assess whether genomic variations (SNP) correlate with host range compatibility, geographical origin and host plant of origin.
Project description:We compared the gene expression of wild-type Col-0 and a T-DNA mutant SALK_116381C (opr2-1). We either infected or mock-infected the plants with the root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and measured the root transcriptome after 0, 1, 4, and 7 days post infection using RNA-seq. The aim of the experiment was to determine whether opr2-1 affected gene expression patterns induced by nematode infection.