RNA-seq of plants infested by generalist and specialist aphids for 48 hours

The dataset presents RNA-sequencing results from plant samples, including those that were infested by both generalist and specialist aphids, as well as those that were not infested. Our goal was to understand how gene expression in plants changes in response to infestation by aphids with different host plant ranges. We used the green peach aphid, known for colonizing a variety of plant species, and two specialist aphids: the cabbage aphid and the bird cherry-oat aphid, which are limited to specific plant species or closely related plant species. Additionally, we utilized null-mutants of the Arabidopsis jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) pathways to conduct aphid feeding experiments, aiming to further dissect the role of these defense pathways in plant responses to aphid infestation. We collected plant leaf tissues that had been infested for 48 hours and performed RNA sequencing to evaluate changes in gene expression. These findings are essential for deciphering plant defense mechanisms and the complex interactions between plants and aphids, offering valuable insights for agricultural pest management and plant pathology research.