Gene Expression Analysis of ZmCCoAOMT2 and ZmCYP450 Genes in ‎Maize (Zea mays L.) Ears infected by Fusarium verticillioides ‎

Fusarium verticillioides is a fungal pathogen of maize that causes ear rot and contaminates the kernels with fomunisin mycotoxin. Induced resistance to diseases is one of the ways which plants use against pathogens. This research was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications for six different time courses (0, 24. 48. 72. 96 and 120 hours post inoculation) and with two resistant (K18) and susceptible (MO17) maize lines in the greenhouse of Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), located in Karaj. In order to better understand the defense systems of maize at the molecular level, plants were inoculated with a spore suspension of F. verticillioides at a concentration of 106 by creating a wound in the middle of the ear, one week after silk emergence. The expression rate of ZmCCoAOMT2 and CYP450 89A genes was checked using the Real-Time PCR evaluation method. The results showed that the expression level of both genes increased in the resistant line. The ZmCCoAOMT2 and CYP450 89A genes reached their maximum expression level 48 and 96 hours after inoculation respectively, in the resistant cultivar. A decrease in the expression level of ZmCCoAOMT2 gene was observed in the susceptible line after fungal inoculation, but the expression of CYP450 89A gene increased in this line. In general, the results of this research showed that the studied genes are related to the interaction of the plant with the pathogen and may help to induce resistance in the plant.