Gene Expression Profiling during Wilting in Chickpea Caused by Fusarium oxysporum F. sp. Ciceri

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (Foc), one of the most important fungal pathogen of chickpea, is a constant threat to this crop plant. In the present study gene expression analysis of chickpea roots during Foc infection was performed using various approaches. cDNAs derived from total mRNA during infection process of susceptible (JG62) and resistant (Digvijay) cultivars, were amplified using random oligonucleotides. Sequence characterization of differentially expressed transcripts revealed their homology with many plant genes essential for various metabolic functions including defense. Further, expression patterns of specific candidate gene transcripts were analyzed in the Foc inoculated and uninoculated resistant and susceptible chickpea cultivars, on day 6 of infection. Semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis of defense related genes was performed using gene specific oligonucleotides in resistant and susceptible chickpea cultivars. The expression of fungal pathogenesis related genes and their race specific response was determined throughout the course of chickpea-Foc interaction. Temporal expression and race specific response of plant defense related and fungal virulence genes were studied in the resistant and susceptible cultivars of chickpea inoculated with three races of Foc highlighting the host-pathogen interactions. Few genes, involved in chickpea defense against Fusarium wilt which were not reported previously were unveiled in this study.