Machine Learning-Based identification of resistance genes associated with sunflower broomrape.

Background: Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.), a vital oil crop, are facing a severe challenge from broomrape (Orobanche cumana), a parasitic plant that seriously jeopardizes the growth and development of sunflowers, limits global production and leads to substantial economic losses, which urges the development of resistant sunflower varieties.

Results: This study aims to identify resistance genes from a comprehensive transcriptomic profile of 103 sunflower varieties based on gene expression data and then constructs predictive models with the key resistant genes.