Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals differential gene expression in resistant and susceptible watermelon cultivars in response to Meloidogyne incognita

Southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is an important plant parasitic disease in the production of watermelon, tomato and other crops, causing serious economic losses. In this study, in order to analyze the differences in the transcriptional regulation of the resistant and susceptible watermelon varieties to the root-knot nematode of southern root knot nematode, the transcriptome sequencing analysis was conducted on the no-infection and different infection time points of the resistant and susceptible watermelon materials. Through GO enrichment and KEGG enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes, genes related to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, diterpene synthesis, and plant basic defense-related pathways were enriched. The down-regulation of expression in susceptible varieties indicates that the related genes participate in the regulation of the disease resistance response process, which plays an important role in the resistance of watermelon to root-knot infection. At the same time, the wild 'hongzigua' in this study is moderately resistant to root-knot nematodes, and the excellent disease resistance traits can be subsequently applied to the control of root-knot nematodes through genetic breeding.