Transcriptional reprogramming in pepper roots by Pochonia chlamydosporia and Meloidogyne incognita interaction
In this study, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis to investigate the effects of Pochonia chlamydosporia (Pc) endophytism on Capsicum annuum cv. Crusco di Senise, including its interaction with the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (RKN). Plants were grown in pots and subjected to four treatments: (1) control (non-inoculated, CTRL), (2) Pc endophytism only (Pc), (3) RKN parasitism only (RKN), and (4) combined Pc endophytism and RKN parasitism (Pc+RKN), sampled at 1 and 14 days after inoculation (dai). Additional phenotypic and growth assays were conducted in both pot and open-field conditions to assess the effects of Pc inoculation. This study aims to integrate transcriptomic data with existing knowledge of plant responses and endophyte-mediated protection, providing insights into the regulatory networks underlying biotic stress interactions in pepper roots.