Differential expression of root specific genes of oil palm seedlings at early stage of Ganoderma boninense infection

Abstract

The Ganoderma boninense is the pathogen causing basal stem rot (BSR) disease in oil palm, degrades oil palm root cell walls and modify plant metabolisms. Research groups have studied molecular mechanisms responses to G. boninense infections. A few have indicated the importance of studying specific gene expressions in relation to resistance mechanisms. This study aims to identify differentially expressed genes in oil palm roots showing susceptible or resistance responses and visualize their accumulated transcript in the heatmap form. The susceptible and resistant seedlings showing symptoms of BSR infection and healthy ones were sampled. Sixteen genes associated with G. boninense infection were identified and their expression were analyzed. Total RNAs were extracted from root samples and cDNA synthesized. Quantitative real time PCR were performed using cDNA, and differential gene expressions were evaluated. Two genes showed the highest transcript accumulation in susceptible and resistant seedlings treated with or without G. boninense. Ten out of the 16 genes belonged to Group I and the other six to Group. Seven out of the 16 genes were differentially expressed in the samples either with or without G. boninense inoculation. The seven genes may be associated with early infection responses to G. boninense.