Fig. 7.

MYC2-silenced tomato plants showed decreased susceptibility to infection by root-knot nematodes (RKNs). (A) The number of RKN-induced root galls in MYC2-silenced plants in the presence or absence of GR24. Empty pTRV vectors served as controls. Gall numbers were determined 4 weeks after RKN infection. Thirty plants per treatment were used in each experiment. (B) The relative expression of PDF, PI-1, and PI-2 in MYC2-silenced plants in the presence or absence of GR24. Empty pTRV vectors served as controls. GR24 was applied at a concentration of 3 μM 24 h before RKN infection. RNA was isolated from root samples collected 24 h after RKN infection, and transcript levels were determined using qRT-PCR. Values are expressed relative to the Actin gene. Data are the means of three replicates (±SD). Different letters indicate significant differences as determined by ANOVA followed by Duncan’s multiple range test (P<0.05).