A multi-omics deconstruction of red ring disease in oil palm

Red ring disease (RRD), caused by the nematode Bursaphelenchus cocophilus, is a devastating disease affecting oil palm and coconut plantations. In Brazil, it is a major constraint to oil palm production. This study employed single- and multi-omics approaches to comprehensively characterize the metabolome, transcriptome, and proteome of stipe tissue in adult oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plants exhibiting RRD symptoms. The objective was to identify unique biomarkers associated with the nematode for developing rapid and accurate diagnostic assays. Additionally, the study aimed to elucidate plant-pathogen interactions and identify potential targets for genetic resistance by identifying differentially expressed genes and proteins during infection. A resource of 397 putative nematode transcripts was established, demonstrating potential for PCR-based diagnostics in oil palm and other susceptible palm species. Pathway analysis integrated multi-omics data, revealing metabolic perturbations induced by the disease. For instance, the production of acetaldehyde and ethanol, compounds with nematicidal properties, suggests a potential plant defense mechanism used by the host. Transcriptomic analysis identified 1278 differentially expressed proteins, providing a foundation for selecting candidate genes to develop genetically modified or edited oil palm varieties with enhanced RRD resistance.