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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.08.02.551671

Pathogen lifestyle defines host genetic signature of quantitative disease resistance in oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

Jacott, C. N.·Schoonbeek, H.-j.·Steuernagel, B.·Kirby, R.·Zheng, X.·von Tiedermann, A.·Macioszek, V. K.·Kononowicz, A. K.·Fell, H.·Fitt, B. D. L.·Mitrousia, G. K.·Stotz, H. U.·Ridout, C. J.·Wells, R.
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Abstract

O_LICrops are affected by several pathogens, but these are rarely studied in parallel to identify common and unique genetic factors controlling diseases. Broad-spectrum quantitative disease resistance (QDR) is desirable for crop breeding as it confers resistance to several pathogen species. C_LIO_LIHere, we use associative transcriptomics (AT) to identify candidate gene loci associated with Brassica napus QDR to four contrasting fungal pathogens: Alternaria brassicicola, Botrytis cinerea, Pyrenopeziza brassicae and Verticillium longisporum. C_LIO_LIWe did not identify any loci associated with broad-spectrum QDR to fungal pathogens with contrasting lifestyles. Instead, we observed QDR dependent on the lifestyle of the pathogen--hemibiotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens had distinct QDR responses and associated loci, including some loci associated with early immunity. Furthermore, we identify a genomic deletion associated with resistance to V. longisporum and potentially broad-spectrum QDR. C_LIO_LIThis is the first time AT has been used for several pathosystems simultaneously to identify host genetic loci involved in broad-spectrum QDR. C_LIO_LIWe highlight candidate loci for broad-spectrum QDR with no antagonistic effects on susceptibility to the other pathogens studies as candidates for crop breeding. C_LI

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Jacott, C. N., Schoonbeek, H.-j., Steuernagel, B., Kirby, R., Zheng, X., von Tiedermann, A., Macioszek, V. K., Kononowicz, A. K., Fell, H., Fitt, B. D. L., Mitrousia, G. K., Stotz, H. U., Ridout, C. J., Wells, R.. 2023-08-04. Pathogen lifestyle defines host genetic signature of quantitative disease resistance in oilseed rape (Brassica napus). https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.08.02.551671

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