Transcriptomics: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Brassica Villosa a Potential Tool to Improve the Insect or Disease Resistance of Brassica Crop Species

Naghabushana K. Nayidu, Peta Bonham-Smith and Margaret Gruber

Outward growths on plant epidermal cells are known as trichomes or hair cells and they act as a barrier for plant predators. Brassica napus (canola) is the major oil seed crop in the world but lacks trichomes on them but a wild relative of canola, Brassica villosa has dense trichomes on them. Transcriptomic study of B. villosa indicated differential expression of trichome, photosynthesis light reactions, major carbohydrates, cellulose, lipid and amino acid metabolism, sulfur assimilation, metal handling/binding, hormones, biotic stress, redox, RNA regulation/ transcription, post-translational modification, signalling, cell vesicle transport, development, secondary metabolism and miscellaneous genes. And bio-chemical results from B. villosa trichomes confirmed accumulation of metals and a unique alkaloid-like compound in them. These results from B. villosa opened the doors for using this species as a potential tool for the improvement of insect or disease resistance in Brassica crop species.