Transcriptome analysis of lemon leaves (<i>Citrus limon</i>) infected by <i>Plenodomus tracheiphilus</i> reveals the effectiveness of <i>Pseudomonas mediterranea</i> in priming the plant response to mal secco disease

The use of biological control agents (BCAs) to cope with diseases has received considerable attention owing its high efficiency and environmental safety. aim our study was investigate the potential role Pseudomonas mediterranea pretreatment in response lemon [Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.] against mal secco, which is a devastating citrus disease caused by fungus Plenodomus tracheiphilus. RNAseq analysis revealed that induced marked reprogramming transcriptome, but P. strongly reduced leaf transcriptome modifications limited amount fungal DNA inside plant tissue. Furthermore, prevented downregulation genes involved effector-triggered immunity (ETI) deregulation biosynthesis perception main phytohormones. To best knowledge, this work represents first report on tracheiphilus-lemon plant-BCA interaction at molecular level.