Differential responses of Brachypodium distachyon genotypes to insect and fungal pathogens

•Brachypodium genotypes were evaluated with different pathogens and insects species.•Brachypodium lines showed different degrees of resistance to pathogens tested.•Peroxidase activity increased in response to the attack of certain pathogens.•Genes in the jasmonic and ethylene pathways were up-regulated in resistant lines.•Identified genotypes could represent material to identify resistance gene(s).

To increase understanding of the interactions between Brachypodium distachyon (purple false brome) and its pathogens, six diploid and two hexaploid Plant Introductions (PI) lines were assessed for their resistance/susceptibility to nine economically important fungal pathogens and two species of insect pests affecting closely related grass species. Naturally occurring variation in resistance was found, with two lines being the most resistant and one line being the most susceptible to most of the insects and pathogens tested. Evidence was found for differential activation of key genes in pathogen defense response pathways between susceptible and resistant lines.