Up-regulation of resistance gene analogs (RGA) in chickpea in the early response to Fusarium wilt

The aim of the present work was to determinate if resistant gene analogs (RGAs) previously identified and characterized by our group are involved in the early response to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (Foc). The expression profile of RGAs was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain-reaction (qPCR) in WR315 (resistant) and ILC3279 (susceptible) genotypes in response to Foc race 5 inoculation. Our results demonstrate that RGA05 and RGA07 were induced after Foc race 5 treatment at 2 days after inoculation (DAI) in the resistant genotype. In contrast RGA10 was induced in both resistant and susceptible plants, although the basal level of this gene was higher in the resistant genotype. On the contrary, no significant changes were observed for any of these genes at 7 DAI. Our results suggest a role of some of the candidate genes in the early response against fusarium wilt, mainly as part of the inducible defensive system. Thus, these genes could be a good start point for further studies such as candidate gene mapping or understand the bases for resistance in chickpea.