Illumina MiSeq sequencing
We carried out a glasshouse experiment to test the tolerance of MdTyDC-OE and wild-type (WT) to ARD caused by Fpmd MR5. The experiment comprised four treatments: WT and MdTyDC-OE (OE-2, -3, and -5) planted in natural soil. Apple seedlings were prepared as described previously. After two months of growing on sterile substrate, apple plants were transferred to AC170 pots filled with natural soil (1.5 kg of soil per pot). Each treatment consisted of three independent replicate plots and each replicate contained 20 apple plants (a total of 60 plants per treatment resulting in a total of 240 plants). Apple plants were maintained under glasshouse conditions and watered regularly with sterile water, and the plant order was randomized every 2 days within treatments. The glasshouse experiment was finished three months post.