Identification of Conserved Genomic Features with Limited Genomic Resources Using RNA-Seq

Buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] is an important United States Native turfgrass species with limited genomic resources. High throughput sequencing applications have been used to study buffalograss but are typically limited to inferring differentially expressed genes in response to a condition such as leaf spot disease, chinch bug feeding, and gender expression. In this study, data from a previous transcriptional profiling study was used to identify genomic regions of importance for leaf spot disease resistance. The previous experiment was designed to identify differentially expressed genes in resistant or susceptible buffalograss challenged with the leaf spot causing pathogen Curvularia inaequalis (Shear) Boedijn. The previous study reported 2013 differentially expressed transcripts between two leaf spot resistant (95-55 and NE3459-17) and two susceptible (Prestige and NE3453-50) buffalograss genotypes. To improve the utility of data beyond differential gene expression, the differentially expressed transcripts were mapped to foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.]. Eleven foxtail millet genomic regions associated with buffalograss leaf spot resistance and nine associated with leaf spot susceptibility were identified. Molecular markers targeting these regions could support a marker assisted selection breeding program and improve the efficiency of breeding for leaf spot resistance in buffalograss.