Pathogenesis and Pattern-Triggered Immunity in Saffron against Root-Lesion Nematode Pratylenchus penetrans: A Transcriptional Landscape

This study was carried out to investigate pathogenic potential of root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans and host immune response of Crocus. P. penetrans infection resulted in production of a smaller number of flowers and the number of days required for flower mergence was more. The nematode infection also had a negative impact on stigma length and weight. Crocin, the major apocarotenoid in saffron was significantly reduced in flowers arising from nematode infected corms. This reduction reflected in down-regulation of apocarotenoid pathway genes such as PSY, LYCB and CCD2. To understand the mechanistic insights during molecular dialogue between Crocus and Pratylenchus, we performed RNA-seq of control and nematode infected corms and identified 1316 differentially expressed genes (DEGs).