Genomics-assisted dissection of black rot resistance in Brassica napus

Summary

The Gram-negative bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is the causal agent of black rot, one of the most destructive diseases in cruciferous crops, including rapeseed (Brassica napus). Typical symptoms of this vascular disease are V-shaped chlorotic lesions on leaves and blacking of veins. Since its discovery in the late nineteenth century, black rot has been found in most areas where Brassica crops are grown, severely affecting marketable yield and leading to considerable economical loss. The research described in my thesis aims to elucidate the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying black rot resistance in B. napus. Using a multi-omics approach candidate genes involved in resistance were identified, including multiple ZRK pseudokinase genes. Functional characterization of identified ZRK variants was performed to validate their roles in immunity to Xcc in B. napus. This thesis forms a valuable resource for future studies to improve black rot resistance in Brassica crops.