Transcriptome analysis of early stages of sorghum grain mold disease reveals defense regulators and metabolic pathways associated with resistance

To understand the genetic, molecular, and biochemical components of grain mold resistance, transcriptome responses to a consortium of grain mold fungi were compared between developing grain of resistant (RTx2911) and susceptible (RTx430) sorghum genotypes. The two sorghum genotypes were inoculated with a mixture of fungal pathogens mimicking the species complexity of the disease under natural infestation. Global transcriptome changes corresponding to multiple biological processes, molecular and cellular functions including defense, secondary metabolism, and flavonoid biosynthesis pathway genes were observed with differential regulation in the two genotypes.