These genes, consisting of a nitrate transporter (Sscle02g013580) which transports nitrate into the cytoplasm, a nitrate reductase (Sscle01g005230) that converts nitrate to nitrite, and a nitrite reductase (Sscle02g016460) which converts nitrite to ammonia, are most highly expressed during early infection and show a steep reduction in expression by 96 hpi (logFC = − 2.25-3). The gene discussed is NGB; the disease is infection.