Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals candidate genes and defence pathways associated with resistance to potato cyst nematodes in potato (Solanum tuberosum).

SM/11-120 potato shows complete restriction of Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida invasion up to 7 days post-inoculation, unlike Kufri Jyoti’s rapid penetration by 24 h.

• Why it matters: PCN species reduce potato productivity worldwide, but the molecular defence programs linked to resistance are not well defined across early infection stages.
• What they did: Potato transcriptomes from SM/11-120 and Kufri Jyoti were profiled by RNA-Seq after simultaneous PCN infection, yielding 18–27 million paired-end reads per library and 51.6–68.3% unique mapping. Differential expression identified 724, 795, 694, and 899 DEGs at 0 hpi, 24 hpi, 72 hpi, and 7 dpi, respectively, with resistant plants showing stronger immune, signalling, and cell-wall reinforcement gene activity.
• The result: Gene Ontology enrichment and qRT-PCR validation indicate rapid and sustained induction of defence-related genes in SM/11-120, supporting candidate pathways for PCN resistance.

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