Transcriptional reprogramming of zucchini plant in response to Aphis gossypii feeding

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) ranks among the highest-valued vegetables worldwide. One major issue related to zucchini cultivation, both in greenhouse and open-field, is the damage imposed by aphids such as Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae). The aim of this study is to investigate, through a time-course transcriptomic analysis based on RNA-seq, the transcriptional reprogramming of zucchini plants (cv. “San Pasquale”) during A. gossypii infestation. Zucchini plants were infested with ten adult aphids. Leaf material was collected from infested and un-infested (control) plants at three different time points (24, 48, 96 h) after infestation.