Genome-Wide Identification, Structural Diversity Analysis and Expression Profiling of NBARC Domain-Containing Gene Family in Pisum sativum

NBARC domain-containing R-genes play a significant role against the pathogen across plant species. Being a conserved domain, R-genes have become the most studied area for pathogen resistance breeding. Pisum sativum is one of the most important pulses and vegetable crops globally. Available genomic and transcriptomic data have been utilized in this study to identify and analyse the NBARC domain-containing R-genes in the Pisum sativum genome. A set of 119 NBARC domain-containing candidate resistance genes have been identified, and an evolutionary relationship has been established, which grouped the R-genes into eight distinct clades. The resistance genes are positioned in twenty-five clusters, and chr05 had the highest number of R-genes. The identified genes had an average of 3 exons and had mostly nuclear localization signals indicative of transcription regulation. Based on conserved domain, they were categorized into six groups of which CNL type was found predominant. Gene expression analysis of the candidate R-genes of Pisum sativum revealed very diverse expression patterns across tissues. Our findings may add comprehensive knowledge and resource to identify disease-resistant genes and linked markers and help in resistance breeding in garden pea.