Expression analysis in Arabidopsis comparing combined salt-stress and subsequent Botytis infection with single stresses

Investigation of whole genome gene expression level changes in wild-type Arabidopsis leaves upon application of either salt-stress or Botrytis-infection or both stresses in combination Plants have evolved effective defense mechanisms to cope with various microbial attacks. However, triggering of immune responses needs to be tuned to the local environment to balance between defense and growth. Here, we investigated the impact of salt which is a prominent environmental factor in arid regions on the Arabidopsis innate immune response. An in-depth analysis of combined salt-stress with Botrytis infection revealed an up-regulation of a unique set of genes, which is not induced upon single stress application. A 15 chip study using total RNA recovered from each three biological replicates of 1. control treatment (t=0 days), 2. normal watering (t=4 days), 3. salt-watering (t=4 days), 4. normal watering (for 4 days) plus Botrytis infection on day 4 for additional 3 days, 5. salt-watering (for 4 days) plus Botrytis infection on day 4 for additional 3 days. Each chip measures the expression level of the whole genome from Arabidopsis thaliana accession Columbia 0 (Col-0).