design: Total RNA was prepared from palm tops of 3-months old sugarcane plants inoculated or control plants. Total RNA was depleted of ribosomal RNA with an in-house specific primer targeting the ribosomal genes of the organisms known to be present in the samples. TruSeq Stranded total RNA Plant was used for library construction. Sequence was performed using High Output 150 cycles paired end (2x 75 bp).