Transcriptome Analysis of Early Pathogenetic Responsive Genes in Cavendish Bananas During Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense Race 1 and Race 4 Infection

Banana Fusarium wilt is a devastating banana disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), seriously threatening the global banana industry. However, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity and the interaction between the host and Foc is limited. In this study, we confi rmed the changes in gene expression and pathways in the Cavendish banana variety “Brazilian” during early infection with Foc1 and Foc4 by comparative transcriptomic analysis, including pathogenesisrelated protein genes, leucine-rich repeat type genes, and plant hormone genes. In the early stages of Foc inoculation, more differentially expressed genes were identifi ed in roots infected with Foc1 than in those infected with Foc4. According to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses, bananas with Foc1 infection caused differential accumulation and expression of various defence-related compounds and genes at the early stage of infection. In contrast, changes in the expression of defence-related genes in the early stages of Foc4 infection were small or weak and were not apparent until 24 h post-infection. Therefore, plant immune responses may occur at this stage of infection. This study could help clarify the interaction between banana plants and Foc and develop control measures for banana Fusarium wilt.