Molecular basis of resistance to leaf spot disease in oil palm.

Introduction: Leaf spot disease caused by the fungal pathogen is one of the most common diseases found in oil palm () nurseries in South East Asia, and is most prevalent at the seedling stage. Severe infections result in localized necrotic regions of leaves that rapidly spread within nurseries leading to poor quality seedlings and high economic losses.

Methods: To understand the molecular mechanisms of this plant-pathogen interaction, RNA-Seq was used to elucidate the transcriptomes of three oil palm genotypes with contrasting pathogen responses (G10 and G12, resistant and G14, susceptible) following infection with spores.

Gene expression profiles of oil palm leaves from different oil yields and genetic population: Transcriptomic dataset.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is one of the most important oil-producing crops in the world. However, the demand for oil from this crop is expected to increase in the future.