Defense gene expression in Sorghum bicolor against Macrophomina phaseolina in leaves and roots of susceptible and resistant cultivars

Abstract

The fungal disease, charcoal root rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina is a foremost yield restraining factor of Sorghum bicolor L. around the world. The expression analysis of genes induced in general defense response can endow with clues to reveal major defense mechanisms against pathogen infection in sorghum plant. The role of chitinase and Stilbene synthase in response to M. phaseolina in sorghum was studied under control growth conditions using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Here, we report the expression analysis of antifungal genes in two cultivars viz. PJ-1430 (resistant) and SU-1080 (susceptible) at different hours after inoculation with M. phaseolina isolate MTCC 2165. Chitinase and stilbene synthase were induced in PJ-1430 within 0 h, 24 h and in SU-1080 in 48 h, 24 h, respectively, after inoculation. However, the expression levels of chitinase and stilbene synthase in resistant cultivar were significantly higher. The results showed that chitinase and stilbene synthase can be effective to enhance resistance to M. phaseolina.

Keywords:

• stilbene synthase gene (SbSTS1)
• chitinase (SbChit)
• root rot disease
• defense gene expression

Acknowledgments

The financial support provided by Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi for the project, ‘Banasthali Centre for Education and Research in Basic Sciences’ under the CURIE (Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities) program is gratefully acknowledged.