Overexpression of cotton genes and in improves plant resistance to root-knot nematode () infection.

UNLABELLED

L. represents the best cotton species for fiber production, thus computing the largest cultivated area worldwide. is a root-knot nematode (RKN) and one of the most important species of genus, which has a wide host range, including cotton plants. Phytonematode infestations can only be partially controlled by conventional agricultural methods, therefore, more effective strategies to improve cotton resistance to disease are highly desirable. The present study employed functional genomics to validate the involvement of two previously identified candidate genes, encoding dirigent protein 4- and peroxiredoxin-2-, in cotton defense against . Transgenic plant lines overexpressing and genes were generated and displayed significantly improved resistance against infection in terms of female nematode abundance in the roots when compared to wild-type control plants. For our best target-gene , an in-silico functional analysis, including multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic relationship, and search for specific protein motifs unveiled potential orthologs in other relevant crop plants, including monocots and dicots. Our findings provide valuable information for further understanding the roles of and genes in cotton defense response against RKN nematode.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03282-4.