Transcriptional profiling of Fragaria vesca leaves reveals leaf-specific responses to Botrytis cinerea infection and systemic beta-aminobutyric acid (BABA) treatment

Grey mould caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea can affect leaves, flowers, and berries of strawberry, causing severe pre- and postharvest damage and economical losses. The defence elicitor beta-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is reported to induce resistance against many pathogens, including B. cinerea, in crop plants. To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in defence against B. cinerea in leaves of untreated F. vesca plants, we used RNA sequencing to investigate the transcriptional reprogramming 24 h post inoculation.