Identification of Genes Responsible for White Mold in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L)

White mold disease is caused by the necrotrophic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).  The interaction of the pathogen with its host is complex and suggests that tolerance is inherited as a complex trait.  Resistant sources of the disease provide a better control than cultivation practices and fungicide application. Multiple QTL studies have identified multiple QTL on at least nine chromosomes associated to some degree of partial resistance in the field. We used pooled samples of isogenic lines, with and without the WM8.3 QTL and WM7.1 QTL independently. Samples were obtained at two time points (24 hrs and 48 hrs) after inoculation of the pathogen. We used RNA-Seq data to identify genes differentially expressed between the resistance and susceptible lines. In addition we mapped the introgressed regions.