Abstract: The expression of zinc finger protein gene after inoculation by Cytospora chrysosperma was studied, which lays foundation for poplar disease-resistant breeding. The virulence of a bacterial strain (CHH001) isolated from poplar to the P.alba×P.berolinensis was determined by inoculation. The bacterial strain was identified as C.chrysosperma using the methods of morphology and ITS-PCR. Real time RT-PCR was used to study the expression of resistance genes of P.alba×P.berolinensis in this study. ZFP1 and 69-Ⅳ-2-4 have higher levels of relative expression. The results showed that the expressions of ZFP1 and 69-Ⅳ-2-4 continuously increased after inoculation. The expressions of ZFP1 were 4.21 times and 3.11 times of the scalded control and blank control, respectively, after inoculation for 48 h. The expressions of 69-Ⅳ-2-4 were 9.56 times and 7.06 times of the scalded control and blank control, respectively, after inoculation for 48 h. The expressions of ZFP1 and 69-Ⅳ-2-4 were higher in early inoculation. It showed that the zinc finger protein gene may participate in the processes of plant-pathogen recognition and defense.

Key words: Populus alba×, P.berolinensis, Cytospora chrysosperma, zinc finger protein gene, real time RT-PCR