Systemic plant defense response in Phacelia tanacetifolia against Pochonia chlamydosporia and Meloidogyne hapla

The network of antagonistic, neutral, and synergistic interactions between (micro)organisms has moved into the focus of current research, since in agriculture, this knowledge can help to develop efficient biocontrol strategies. Applying the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia as biocontrol agent to manage the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla is a highly promising strategy. To gain new insight into the systemic response of plants to a plant-parasitic nematode and a nematophagous fungus, Phacelia was inoculated with M. hapla and/or P. chlamydosporia and subjected to transcriptome analysis of leaves.