Differential transcription network analysis for Fusarium head blight disease of barley in combination with drought stress

For improvement of stress and disease resistance of barley, this global transcriptomic study focuses on how drought conditions affect Fusarium head blight (FHB) severity in spring barley. In general, drought-stress prior to Fusarium culmorum infection reduced FHB-susceptibility. This study gives evidence, that FHB-severity and strength of drought responses is variety-dependent under complex stress situations. Global gene expression study of 3’-RNAseq for the four different Barley cultivars Barke, Grace, Morex and Palmella Blue. Flowering plants were irrigated or exposed to drought stress for 7days before expected mid of flowering (growth stage 65) and then inoculated either with Fusarium culmorum spores, Fusarium avenaceum spores or mock and whole spikes were harvested 48 and 96 hours post-infection.