2026· Physiologia Plantarum : An International Journal for Plant Biology· Vol 178 4, pp.
e71052
· 0 citations
Medicine
TL;DR
Current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying wheat-Pst interactions are synthesized, key advances in understanding their reciprocal communication are highlighted, and emerging directions for developing durable resistance are discussed.
The first comprehensive species-wide pangenomic and systems-level analyses of B. sorokiniana are presented, providing vital insights into the evolutionary architecture of pathogenicity, adaptation, and genome diversification and providing a valuable genomic resource for disease surveillance and functional characterization of virulence determinants.
Anand Kumar Shukla, Narendra Y. Kadoo· bioRxiv· 0 citations
Tea gray blight, caused by the Pestalotiopsis-like species, poses a major threat to global tea production. The pathogen’s complexity, characterized by cryptic diversity (Pestalotiopsis, Pseudopestalotiopsis, and Neopestalotiopsis) and a dynamic ‘endophyte-pathogen’ lifestyle switch modulated by ecological factors, complicates effective control. Synthesizing recent breakthroughs in multi-omics and functional genomics, this review delineates a tripartite defense architecture in tea plants: (1) Signal-Epigenetic Coordination, featuring a unique spatiotemporal synergy between Salicylic Acid (SA) and Jasmonic Acid (JA), and a CsPRMT5-mediated histone methylation module that functions as a ‘molecular brake’ to fine-tune immune onset; (2) Metabolic Flux Redirection, wherein alternative splicing (e.g., CsDFR isoforms) acts as a rapid switch to prioritize the biosynthesis of high-potency esterified catechins and volatiles; and (3) Physical Reinforcement, driven by miRNA-regulated lignification (e.g., the miR397a-CsLAC17 module). To bridge the critical ‘translation gap’ between mechanistic discovery and field stability, we propose a closed-loop research framework. This roadmap integrates pan-genome taxonomy to resolve classification ambiguities, RNP-CRISPR gene editing to validate effector-receptor interactions, synthetic microbial communities for ecological engineering, and AI-driven precision management. This review not only decodes the molecular dialogue in the tea-Pestalotiopsis pathosystem but also provides a blueprint for leveraging systems biology to achieve resilient, quality-preserving disease control.
Qingtao Jiang, Chengcheng Yang, Xujie Wang et al.· Horticulture Research· 0 citations
Molecular insights of host–pathogen interactions offer decoding of sustainable strategies for developing resilient cultivars and effective management of false smut disease, highlighting stage-specific pathogenicity genes and rice defense mechanisms that control false smut disease development.
P. Parmar, B. Bashyal· Plant Molecular Biology· 0 citations
Wheat stripe/yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), remains one of the most significant constraints to global wheat production. Genetic resistance breeding is the most effective, economical, and environmentally sustainable strategy for controlling stripe rust. Over the past two decades, advances in genome sequencing, molecular markers and high-throughput genotyping have led to the reporting of numerous Yr genes and an even greater number of quantitative trait loci (QTL, QYr). Alignment of QYr onto a common refence map is therefore required to consolidate dispersed reports, identify regions of co-localization, and define stable genomic regions underlying stripe rust resistance. In this review, catalogued Yr genes and published stripe rust QTL were systematically compiled from 142 studies and, where sufficient marker information was available, physically re-anchored to the IWGSC RefSeq v2.1 wheat reference genome. This integrative approach enabled consolidation of overlapping loci and delineation of 42 QTL-rich clusters (QRCs). The B-sub genome had the highest number of clusters (20), followed by the A-sub genome (16). The D-sub genome had the least number of clusters (6), with two chromosomes, 5D and 6D, lacking any clusters. Thirteen cloned Yr genes were mapped within these clusters, thereby providing functional validation of QRCs as biologically meaningful reservoirs of resistance. This cluster-based framework provides a practical roadmap for consolidating Yr/QYr loci, prioritizing novel genomic targets, and deploying resistance strategically against evolving pathogen populations.
C. Micheni, Davinder Singh, Robert F. Park et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
The obligate biotrophic fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), the causal agent of wheat powdery mildew, has become increasingly prevalent in Australia. Recent reports of fungicide-resistant Bgt isolates further highlight the need for effective management strategies. However, only a few studies have investigated the Australian Bgt population, limiting the effective deployment of resistant cultivars for disease management.
To evaluate the virulence complexity of the Australian Bgt population and to identify lines with currently effective wheat powdery mildew resistance genes.
To investigate virulence diversity, 30 Australian Bgt isolates from various geographical locations and hosts were collected between 2020 and 2024 and screened against a panel of 24 wheat lines carrying defined major resistance genes.
Virulence complexity did not differ between eastern and western Bgt populations (P = 0.695), although Pm3a, Pm16, Pm17, and Pm4b were effective only in the western region, whereas Pm3d was effective only in the eastern region. Khapli (Pm4a) and Tabasco (Pm2), both carrying additional unknown resistance gene(s), were highly resistant to all isolates. Similarly, European cultivars Alchemy, Cordiale, and Einstein remained resistant to representative Australian Bgt isolates.
Virulence profiling showed substantial diversity within the Australian Bgt population. However, wheat varieties carrying defined resistance genes and their combinations are available and remain effective against contemporary Australian Bgt isolates.
This preliminary study highlights the potential diversity within the Australian Bgt population and emphasises the importance of continuous monitoring to support the effective deployment of resistance resources, ultimately reducing reliance on fungicides.
A. Tony, Daniel Mullan, H. Phan et al.· Crop & Pasture Science· 0 citations
The identification of C. globosum HKH_AMG from the susceptible cultivar Taichung 29 highlights the untapped potential of seed-associated fungal microbiota for the sustainable management of STB.
Hamideh Khavasi, Seema S. Rathore, M. A. Ghanbari et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations