Abstract
Hirschmanniella oryzae is the most common plant-parasitic nematode in flooded rice cultivation systems. These migratory animals penetrate the plant roots and feed on the root cells, creating large cavities, extensive root necrosis and rotting. The objective of this study was to investigate the systemic response of the rice plant upon root infection by this nematode. RNA sequencing was applied on the above-ground parts of the rice plants at 3 and 7 days post inoculation. The data revealed significant modifications in the primary metabolism of the plant shoot, with a general suppression of for instance chlorophyll biosynthesis, the brassinosteroid pathway, and amino acid production. In the secondary metabolism, we detected a repression of the isoprenoid and shikimate pathways. These molecular changes can have dramatic consequences for the growth and yield of the rice plants, and could potentially change their susceptibility to above-ground pathogens and pests.
Highlights
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple foods in the world, feeding more than 50% of the human population
Plants generally respond to nematode infection by differential expression of genes involved in stress and defense responses, cell wall alteration, metabolism and nutrient allocation, and signal transduction [3]
The jasmonate and ethylene pathways, which are known to be involved in wound responses [5], were strongly induced upon migratory endoparasitic nematode infection in rice roots, some suppression of specific defense responses was observed at later time points [4]
Summary
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple foods in the world, feeding more than 50% of the human population. Hirschmanniella oryzae is present in the soil and irrigation water of the majority of rice-growing areas, mainly where rice is grown under submerged conditions [1], [2] These nematodes penetrate plant roots and move through the cortex of the root, producing cavities and channels and eventually necrosis. The jasmonate and ethylene pathways, which are known to be involved in wound responses [5], were strongly induced upon migratory endoparasitic nematode infection in rice roots, some suppression of specific defense responses was observed at later time points [4]. To the accumulating evidence on gene expression and metabolite changes in locally infected tissues, research has provided evidence on the nematode-induced systemic changes in pathogenesis-related protein levels [6], [7], [8], primary metabolites [9], and hormonerelated defense pathways [10]. The molecular mechanisms and associated genes driving such a systemic response remain barely investigated
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