The mechanism of sesame resistance against Macrophomina phaseolina was revealed via a comparison of transcriptomes of resistant and susceptible sesame genotypes

Abstract Background Sesame (Sesamum indicum) charcoal rot, a destructive fungal disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid (MP), is great threat to the yield and quality of sesame. However, there lack information about gene-for-gene relationship between sesame MP, molecular mechanism behind interaction not yet clear. The aim this study was interpret resistance against MP in disease-resistant (DR) disease-susceptible (DS) genotypes based on transcriptomics. This first report using method. Results A set core genes that response were revealed comparative transcriptomics they preferentially associated with GO terms such as ribosome-related processes, fruit ripening regulation jasmonic acid mediated signalling pathway. It also exhibited translational transcriptional could co-activate DR so it can initiate immunity more rapidly. According weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) differentially expressed sets two genotypes, we found leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase (LRR-RLK) proteins may assume an important job MP. Notably, compared DS, most key induced pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) genes, indicating initiated stronger pattern-triggered (PTI) effector-triggered (ETI). Finally, showed JA/ET SA pathways all play role Conclusions defence sesame, complex bioprocess involving many phytohormones resistance-related illustrated at level our investigation. findings shed light further understanding different responses resistant susceptible