Expression pattern of genes associated with resistance to Sclerotinia basal stem rot disease in oil seed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) from Asteraceae family is one of the most important crops grown mainly for edible oil. Sclerotinia is one of the fungi pathogens widely distributed in sunflower farms leading to totally yield losses under the favorable environmental conditions for the pathogen. The use of resistant genotypes is potentially one of the economically useful methods for its control. In this study, the expression pattern of genes PDF1.2 (defence related gene), HaZFHD (transcription factor) and HaPP2C (effective in defence signal transduction) was investigated in sunflower susceptible (SDR19) and partially resistant (8A*/LC1064C) lines after inoculation with Sclerotinia fungal isolate A37 via Real Time PCR technique. Results revealed that the expression of studied genes has significantly increased in an earlier time in partially resistant (8A*/LC1064C) line compared to susceptible (SDR19) one. Increased expression level of studied genes proves their potential role in resistance of sunflower to Sclerotinia basal stem rot disease. The findings of this study can be useful in sunflower breeding programs for producing cultivars resistant to Sclerotinia stem rot disease.