RNAseq of wild Brassica oleracea species following Sclerotinia-infection

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is one of the most important oil-producing crops worldwide. The narrow gene pool of oilseed rape hampers its resistance breeding. Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is one of the most destructive diseases in many oilseed rape growing regions, worldwide. So far, no effective genetic source of resistance to S. sclerotiorum in B. napus germplasm is available, and yet knowledge of molecular plant-fungal interactions is limited. We performed RNAseq of a resistant (B. villosa; B1896) and a susceptible (B. oleracea; B1909) wild Brassica oleracea species at a early stage of Sclerotinia-infection for a comparative transcriptome profiling. The data provides novel insights into the early defense response of a unique genetic source for quantitative resistance against Sclerotinia.