The messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of tea leaves during the infection by the tea leaf spot pathogen, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, under the stress of temperatures

Lasiodiplodia theobromae is a fungal pathogen that causes leaf spot on tea (Camellia sinensis [L.] Kuntze), and causes decline in both the quality and production of tea leaves. Tea leaf spot caused by L. theobromae was firstly found in Huishui County, Guizhou Province, China. The assay of the growth rate of the hyphae in vitro indicated that 33 degrees Celsius, a relative higher temperature, can significantly enhance the growth rate of the hyphae. Meanwhile, 33 degrees Celsius, a relative higher temperature, can also enhance the rate of lesion formation on detached tea twigs in pathogenicity test. These results indicated that higher temperature may be known as an important factor, which can regulate the interaction mechanism of host-pathogen. In this study, a model of host C. sinensis (Fuding-dabaicha) tea leaves infected by L. theobromae under the different temperatures was constructed, and then the mRNAs of tea leaves were sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq 6000 platform. The functional annotation and analysis of mRNAs originating from tea leaves during the infection of L. theobromae would contribute to the study of the host-pathogen interaction mechanisms.