The resistance of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi is a multigene-multivariate phenomenon

Abstract

Floriculture is one of the most significant crop industries worldwide. The carnation is the second-most exported or imported flower in the world. The disease most affecting the carnation crop is fusariosis, produced by the ascomycete Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi. Little is known about the genetics of the resistance to Fusarium in carnations. we identified different genes implicated direct or indirect forms in the defense mechanisms were 16 identified using mRNAseq and RT-qPCR techniques. Some of these genes were involved in basal metabolism, genes implicated in the primary response to the pathogen, and Pathogenesis-related proteins (PR) genes. These genes in different carnation varieties present overexpression or, in contrast, subexpression and somehow determine the resistant or susceptible phenotype to Fusarium oxysporum. Some of them are directly related to cell wall remodeling. Different genes are involved in the resistant response in carnations in different varieties; so, each variety elaborates a response in a different form from the other varieties; even more, the same gene is expressed differently in the different resistant varieties.