Transcriptome analysis reveals key genes associated with root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus thornei resistance in chickpea

The root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus thornei, is one of the major plant-parasitic nematode species causing significant yield losses in chickpea (Cicer arietinum). In order to identify the underlying mechanisms of resistance to P. thornei, the transcriptomes of control and inoculated roots of three chickpea genotypes viz. D05253 > F3TMWR2AB001 (resistant advanced breeding line), PBA HatTrick (moderately resistant cultivar), and Kyabra (susceptible cultivar) were studied at 20 and 50 days post inoculation using the RNA-seq approach. On analyzing the 633.3 million reads generated, 962 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Comparative analysis revealed that the majority of DEGs upregulated in the resistant genotype were downregulated in the moderately resistant and susceptible genotypes. Transcription factor families WRKY and bZIP were uniquely expressed in the resistant genotype. The genes Cysteine-rich receptor-like protein kinase 10, Protein lifeguard-like, Protein detoxification, Bidirectional sugar transporter Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters1 (SWEET1), and Subtilisin-like protease were found to play cross-functional roles in the resistant chickpea genotype against P. thornei. The identified candidate genes for resistance to P. thornei in chickpea can be explored further to develop markers and accelerate the introgression of P. thornei resistance into elite chickpea cultivars.