Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 11759

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Andrés J. Cortés

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Departamento de Ciencias Forestales, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia—Sede Medellín, Medellín 050034, Colombia
Interests: plant genomics; plant breeding; genetics of adaptation; population genomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleague,

The Special Issue entitled “Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives” in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences focuses on exploring the latest advancements in the field of quantitative genetics for plant improvement. This Special Issue aims to bridge critical research gaps in the development and deployment of advanced breeding approaches to meet the growing global food security demands, while facing in a sustainable manner more extreme climate change events.

The scope of this Special Issue spans cutting-edge original research and systematic reviews that explore the theoretical and practical aspects of quantitative genetics and plant breeding. The issue seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest methodologies, technologies, and innovations that are driving the field forward, enabling more rapid and precise selection schemes. Diverse disciplines that orbit the plant breeding spectrum are encourage to collide in this Special Issue, a much-needed modern synthesis between the basic and applied genetic arenas to boost the utilization of plant resources and the effectiveness of crop improvement schemes.

By integrating traditional and modern breeding techniques, this Special Issue aims highlighting strategies that can significantly enhance the efficiency and precision of plant breeding programs. This way, the current collection is expected to make significant contributions to the scientific community by providing conceptual frameworks and practical approaches capable to modernize and integrate in innovative manners the fields of plant breeding and quantitative genetics, ultimately supporting global efforts to secure food production, climate change adaptation, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Dr. Andrés J. Cortés
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

quantitative genetics
classical plant breeding
marker-assisted selection
genomic selection
speed breeding
gene editing and biotechnology

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

23 pages, 4760 KB

Open AccessArticle

Beyond the Bottleneck: Predicting Regeneration Potential in Sunflower Through Integrated Morphological and Statistical Profiling

by Kimon Ionas, Mirjana Vukosavljev, Emilija Bulić, Aleksandra Radanović, Siniša Jocić, Ankica Kondić-Špika and Dragana Miladinović

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27020809 - 14 Jan 2026

Viewed by 328

Abstract

This study presents the first integrated analysis of genotype–medium interactions and temporal morphogenesis profiling in sunflower regeneration. It aims to characterize genotype-specific responses, identify predictive morphological markers, and develop a scalable framework for breeding and transformation. Eighteen sunflower genotypes were evaluated to assess organogenic performance. The model genotype Ha-26-PR was used for a complementary experiment, testing varying sucrose concentrations to examine their influence on morphogenic outcomes. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), guided by the Elbow method, identified four optimal clusters (K = 4). These aligned with three biologically meaningful categories: High Regenerators (Cluster 1), Moderate/Specific Regenerators (Clusters 2 and 3), and Non-Regenerators (Cluster 4). On S1 medium, NO-SU-12 and AS-1-PR showed superior shoot regeneration, while on R4 medium, HA-26-PR-SU and NO-SU-12 performed best. Genotypes such as NO-SU-12 and AS-1-PR consistently excelled across both media, whereas AB-OR-8 and FE-7 remained non-regenerators. Medium R4 supported superior regeneration, primarily through root formation, while S1 failed to induce roots in any genotype, highlighting the importance of hormonal composition. Although sucrose promoted callus induction, it did not trigger organogenesis. Callus was consistently present across media and time points, but its correlations with shoot and root formation were weak and temporally unstable, limiting its predictive value. Root formation at 14 days (Root 14D) emerged as a robust early predictor of organogenic success. This integration of morphological, temporal, and statistical analyses offers a genotype-tailored regeneration framework with direct applications in molecular breeding and CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 11246 KB

Open AccessArticle

Characterisation of the ARF Gene Family in Salicaceae and Functional Analysis of PeARF18 in Heteromorphic Leaf Development of Populus euphratica

by Tongrui Song, Hongyan Jin, Jing Li, Qi Ning, Donghui Miao, Yidan Yang, Zhibin Cui, Zhijun Li, Zhihua Wu and Peipei Jiao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(1), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010335 - 28 Dec 2025

Viewed by 441

Abstract

Auxin plays a crucial role in plant growth and development via concentration gradient regulation, with auxin response factors (ARFs) as key transcription factors in its signalling pathway. However, comprehensive identification and characterisation of ARF genes in Salicaceae remain limited. This study performed a genome-wide analysis of ARF genes in three Salicaceae species (Populus euphratica Oliv., Populus pruinosa, and Salix sinopurpurea), aiming to clarify their physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, and functional relevance. A total of 34 ARF genes were identified in each species, all being nucleus-localised hydrophilic unstable proteins clustered into six phylogenetic subgroups. Their promoters contain numerous cis-acting elements responsive to light, phytohormones, and stresses. Transcriptome and qRT-PCR data showed significant up-regulation of PeARF18 in ovate/broad-ovate leaves of P. euphratica compared to linear/lanceolate leaves. This study provides preliminary insights into the characterisation and potential role of the Salicaceae ARF gene family, laying a foundation for further functional exploration of PeARF18 in P. euphratica leaf shape development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4022 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification of the SnRK2 Gene Family and Its Response to Abiotic Stress in Populus euphratica

by Hongyan Jin, Jing Li, Tongrui Song, Donghui Miao, Qi Ning, Xiao Zhang, Zhongshuai Gai, Zhijun Li, Peipei Jiao and Zhihua Wu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(21), 10750; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110750 - 5 Nov 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 810

Abstract

Improving plant water use efficiency (WUE) and drought tolerance by modulating stomatal activity constitutes a promising strategy for mitigating the impacts of water scarcity. SnRK2, a key component of the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, plays a critical role in modulating stomatal behavior under abiotic stress. However, the functional role of SnRK2 in regulating stomatal movement to enhance WUE and drought tolerance in Populus euphratica remains to be characterized. In this study, 11 PeSnRK2 genes were identified in the P. euphratica genome, each comprising 9–14 exons and exhibiting an uneven distribution across seven chromosomes. Subcellular localization predictions indicated that these proteins are predominantly localized in the Cytoplasm and Cytoskeleton. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the PeSnRK2 genes into three distinct subfamilies, and conserved gene structures were observed within each clade. Analysis of cis-acting regulatory elements suggested that PeSnRK2 genes were involved in hormonal signaling and stress response pathways. Further transcriptomic data also indicated substantial alterations in PeSnRK2 expression due to polyethylene glycol (PEG) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Finally, qRT-PCR and subcellular localization showed that PeSnRK2.6 is highly induced by ABA and functions in both nucleus and cytoplasm. This first characterization in a desert woody species bridged gaps in SnRK2 evolution and function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 7401 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of bZIP Gene Family in Bergenia purpurascens and Functional Characterization of BpbZIP37 Under Heat Stress

by Qiankun Zhu, Wenqing Wang, Tianxiang Chen, Feiyang Yan, Jie Chen, Zongxiang Jiang and Nuomei Xu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(21), 10262; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110262 - 22 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 437

Abstract

Bergenia purpurascens, a perennial herb with significant medicinal value, thrives in harsh high-altitude environments but faces threats from global warming-induced heat stress. Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses, yet their functions in B. purpurascens remain unstudied. In this study, we identified 55 bZIP genes (BpbZIP1–55) from B. purpurascens transcriptome data. Expression pattern analyses identified several tissue-specific expressed BpbZIP genes, as well as eight heat stress-induced BpbZIP genes. Among them, BpbZIP37 was the most significantly induced by heat stress and was used for functional characterization via over-expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. The results indicated that BpbZIP37 can enhance the heat tolerance of plants by reducing reactive oxygen species accumulation and increasing activities of antioxidant enzymes. This study provides new insights into exploring the functions of bZIP genes in B. purpurascens, highlighting BpbZIP37 as an important regulator of heat stress responses, which lays a foundation for plant breeding improvement and resource conservation tailored to climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3707 KB

Open AccessArticle

Conserved miR156 Mediates Phase-Specific Coordination Between Cotyledon Morphogenesis and Embryo Dormancy During Somatic Embryogenesis in Larix kaempferi

by Xin Li, Yuqin Huang, Wenhua Yang, Liwang Qi, Lifeng Zhang and Chenghao Li

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8206; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178206 - 23 Aug 2025

Viewed by 988

Abstract

The miR156 family, crucial for phase transition and stress responses in plants, remains functionally uncharacterized in the ecologically and commercially important gymnosperm Larix kaempferi. This study systematically investigated L. kaempferi miR156 through phylogenetic analysis, structural prediction, expression profiling during somatic embryogenesis, and heterologous functional validation in Arabidopsis. Four MIR156 family members (LkMIR156s) were identified in Larix kaempferi, each with a characteristic stem-loop structure and highly conserved mature sequences. Computational predictions indicated that these LkMIR156s target four LkSPL family genes (LkSPL1, LkSPL2, LkSPL3, and LkSPL9). qRT-PCR analysis showed that mature LkmiR156s expression remained relatively low during early embryonic development but was significantly upregulated at the cotyledonary stage (21–42 days). Precursor transcript levels peaked earlier (around 28 days) than those of the mature LkmiR156, which remained highly expressed throughout cotyledonary embryo development. This sustained high expression coincided with cotyledon morphogenesis and embryonic dormancy. Functional validation via heterologous overexpression of LkMIR156b1 in Arabidopsis resulted in increased rosette leaf numbers (42.86% ± 6.19%) and individual leaf area (54.90% ± 6.86%), phenotypically consistent with the established role of miR156 in growth regulation. This study reveals the temporal expression dynamics of LkmiR156s during L. kaempferi somatic embryogenesis and its coordinated expression patterns with cotyledon development and embryonic dormancy. The functional conservation of the miR156-SPL module was confirmed in a model plant, providing key molecular insights into the developmental regulatory network of conifers. These findings offer potential strategies for optimizing somatic embryogenesis techniques in conifer species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1650 KB

Open AccessArticle

A RUBY Reporter for Efficient Banana Transformation and Development of Betalain-Rich Musa Germplasm

by Weidi He, Huoqing Huang, Shuxian Wang, Dalin Wang, Yanling Xie and Chunhua Hu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(16), 7805; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26167805 - 13 Aug 2025

Viewed by 1431

Abstract

Bananas are economically important crops valued for both their nutritional and dietary uses. However, the global banana industry suffers from a narrow base dominated by a single variety. Developing novel varieties enriched in health-promoting compounds such as betalains can help diversify banana germplasm and meet evolving consumer demands. In this study, the RUBY reporter system was employed to produce betalain-rich bananas via stable and transient genetic transformations. Transient transformation by injecting 3 mL of Agrobacterium suspension into immature fruits produced vivid red-purple pulp containing up to 1.78 mg/g of betalains. For stable transformation, embryonic cell suspensions expressing RUBY exhibited a red-purple coloration after the first screening, reducing the selection period from 45 to 15 days. These findings demonstrate that RUBY is a reliable visual reporter for efficient screening and can be used to develop nutritionally enhanced bananas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 1509 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genomic Prediction of Adaptation in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) × Tepary Bean (P. acutifolius A. Gray) Hybrids

by Felipe López-Hernández, Diego F. Villanueva-Mejía, Adriana Patricia Tofiño-Rivera and Andrés J. Cortés

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7370; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157370 - 30 Jul 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1734

Abstract

Climate change is jeopardizing global food security, with at least 713 million people facing hunger. To face this challenge, legumes as common beans could offer a nature-based solution, sourcing nutrients and dietary fiber, especially for rural communities in Latin America and Africa. However, since common beans are generally heat and drought susceptible, it is imperative to speed up their molecular introgressive adaptive breeding so that they can be cultivated in regions affected by extreme weather. Therefore, this study aimed to couple an advanced panel of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) × tolerant Tepary bean (P. acutifolius A. Gray) interspecific lines with Bayesian regression algorithms to forecast adaptation to the humid and dry sub-regions at the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where the common bean typically exhibits maladaptation to extreme heat waves. A total of 87 advanced lines with hybrid ancestries were successfully bred, surpassing the interspecific incompatibilities. This hybrid panel was genotyped by sequencing (GBS), leading to the discovery of 15,645 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Three yield components (yield per plant, and number of seeds and pods) and two biomass variables (vegetative and seed biomass) were recorded for each genotype and inputted in several Bayesian regression models to identify the top genotypes with the best genetic breeding values across three localities on the Colombian coast. We comparatively analyzed several regression approaches, and the model with the best performance for all traits and localities was BayesC. Also, we compared the utilization of all markers and only those determined as associated by a priori genome-wide association studies (GWAS) models. Better prediction ability with the complete SNP set was indicative of missing heritability as part of GWAS reconstructions. Furthermore, optimal SNP sets per trait and locality were determined as per the top 500 most explicative markers according to their β regression effects. These 500 SNPs, on average, overlapped in 5.24% across localities, which reinforced the locality-dependent nature of polygenic adaptation. Finally, we retrieved the genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) and selected the top 10 genotypes for each trait and locality as part of a recommendation scheme targeting narrow adaption in the Caribbean. After validation in field conditions and for screening stability, candidate genotypes and SNPs may be used in further introgressive breeding cycles for adaptation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4033 KB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of SNP Fingerprinting and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Eggplant Based on KASP Technology

by Wuhong Wang, Hongtao Pang, Na Hu, Haijiao Hu, Tianhua Hu, Yaqin Yan, Jinglei Wang, Jiaqi Ai, Chonglai Bao and Qingzhen Wei

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(11), 5312; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115312 - 31 May 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1392

Abstract

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a significant vegetable in the Solanaceae family. Significant progress has been made in genetic diversity analysis and fingerprinting construction for crops such as tomatoes and peppers within the same family, but research on eggplants in these aspects remains relatively limited. Current germplasm identification using fingerprinting primarily relies on traditional SSR markers, which suffer from limited polymorphism and labor-intensive workflows. This study aimed to identify high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), develop reliable Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) markers for eggplant genotyping, and then conduct fingerprint construction and genetic diversity analysis. The ultimate goals were to achieve a precise identification of eggplant varieties and deeply explore the genetic background and evolutionary patterns of eggplant germplasm. In this study, 49 representative eggplant accessions were re-sequenced. After data quality control, sequence alignment, and multiple rounds of screening, 224 high-quality SNPs were identified. Based on these SNPs, 96 SNPs were selected to develop KASP markers. These markers can provide abundant genetic markers for eggplant genetic research, which are used to deeply explore the genetic background and conduct genetic diversity analysis. After multiple rounds of rigorous verification, 32 core candidate markers were finally screened out. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) and gene diversity (GD) values were 0.36 and 0.46, respectively. Phylogenetic tree, population structure, and principal component analyses divided the 280 eggplant accessions into eight distinct groups. Through the analysis of minimal core markers and core germplasm, 23 core SNP markers and a subset of 56 core germplasm accessions were identified, leading to the establishment of a comprehensive fingerprinting system for all 280 accessions. Our findings provide a foundational genetic resource for eggplant germplasm identification and offer significant support for future breeding efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

33 pages, 866 KB

Open AccessReview

Genome-Wide, High-Density Genotyping Approaches for Plant Germplasm Characterisation (Methods and Applications)

by Sirine Werghi, Brian Wakimwayi Koboyi, David Chan-Rodriguez and Hanna Bolibok-Brągoszewska

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(24), 11833; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262411833 - 8 Dec 2025

Viewed by 1016

Abstract

Germplasm collections are a treasure trove of humanity. The accessions constituting those collections (wild crop relatives, landraces, cultivars, etc.) contain genes and allelic variants, which evolved prior to or post domestication, in the course of adaptation and selection, and can be used in breeding to address current and future needs. Precise characterisation of genetic diversity is essential for the efficient conservation of genetic resources and their effective utilisation in crop improvement. Detailed genetic profiles resulting from DNA genotyping constitute a basis for establishing the level of genetic diversity of a collection, analysing population structure, identifying redundancies, performing genome-wide association scans (given the availability of phenotypic information), detecting loci under selection, and many other applications. To obtain an accurate picture of genetic diversity (at the DNA sequence level), robust, high-density, high-throughput, and cost-effective methods are needed. With the advances in the next-generation sequencing, new genotyping approaches emerged (such as genotyping-by-sequencing, whole genome resequencing), which provide excellent genome coverage and low cost per datapoint (with tens of thousands to millions of loci analysed in a single assay). Crop-specific, custom, microarray-based genotyping solutions were also developed. The aim of this review is to provide a comparative description of the genome-wide, high-density genotyping technologies that are most frequently used nowadays, comprising their advantages and drawbacks, as well as factors that determine, which of the methods will best suit the particular germplasm characterisation project. Further, we characterise the current role of these methods in addressing the challenges related to the effective management and use of genetic resources and present recent examples of their application in selected crop plant groups. Finally, we briefly describe constraints to germplasm characterisation and future prospects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 1205 KB

Open AccessReview

The Potential of NGTs to Overcome Constraints in Plant Breeding and Their Regulatory Implications

by Franziska Koller

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(23), 11391; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311391 - 25 Nov 2025

Viewed by 1346

Abstract

Conventional plant breeding relies on the occurrence of chromosomal crossover and spontaneous or non-targeted mutations in the genome induced by physical or chemical stressors. However, constraints exist concerning the number and variation of genotypes that can be achieved in this way, as the occurrence and combination of mutations are not equally distributed across the genome. The underlying mechanisms and causes of reproductive constraints can be considered the result of evolution to maintain the genomic stability of a species while at the same time allowing necessary adaptations. A continuous horizon scan was carried out to identify plants derived from new genomic techniques (NGTs), which show that CRISPR/Cas is able to circumvent at least some of these mechanisms and constraints. The reason for this is the specific mode of action: While physico-chemical mutagens such as radiation or chemicals merely cause a break in DNA, recombinant enzymatic mutagens (REMs), such as CRISPR/Cas, additionally interfere with cellular repair mechanisms. More recently developed REMs even expand the capabilities of NGTs to introduce new genetic variations within the target sequences. Thus, NGTs introduce genetic changes and combinations that are unknown in the current breeding pool and that are also unlikely to occur as a result of any previously used breeding methods. The resulting genotypes may need to be considered as ‘new to the environment’. The technical potential of NGTs should also be taken into account in regulatory provisions. Previously unknown genotypes and phenotypes may negatively impact plant health, ecosystems, biodiversity, and plant breeding. It must further be acknowledged that the different outcomes of NGTs and conventional breeding are not always evident at first sight. As a starting point, within a process-oriented approval process, molecular characterization can inform the following steps in risk assessment and guide requests for further data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 9645 KB

Open AccessReview

Molecular Breeding for Fungal Resistance in Common Bean

by Luciana Lasry Benchimol-Reis, César Júnior Bueno, Ricardo Harakava, Alisson Fernando Chiorato and Sérgio Augusto Morais Carbonell

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(21), 10387; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110387 - 25 Oct 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1107

Abstract

Despite the recognized social and economic importance of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), the average grain yield is far below the productive potential of cultivars. This situation is explained by several factors, such as the large number of diseases and pests that affect the crop, some of which cause significant damage. It is estimated that approximately 200 diseases can significantly affect common beans. These can be bacterial, viral, fungal, and nematode-induced. The main bean fungal diseases include anthracnose, angular leaf spot, powdery mildew, gray mold, Fusarium wilt, dry root rot, Pythium root rot, southern blight, white mold, charcoal rot and rust. This review provides a comprehensive overview of eleven major fungal diseases affecting common bean, describing their associated damage, characteristic symptomatology, and the epidemiological factors that favor disease development. It further synthesizes current knowledge on host resistance mechanisms that can be exploited to develop molecularly informed resistant genotypes. The compilation includes characterized resistance genes and mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs), with details on their chromosomal locations, genetic effects, and potential for use in breeding. Moreover, the review highlights successful applications of molecular breeding approaches targeting fungal resistance. Finally, it discusses conclusions and future perspectives for integrating advanced genetic improvement strategies—such as marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, gene editing, and pyramiding—to enhance durable resistance to fungal pathogens in common bean. This work serves as both a reference for forthcoming resistance-mapping studies and a guide for the strategic selection of resistance loci in breeding programs aimed at developing cultivars with stable and long-lasting fungal resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Plant Breeding and Genetics: New Findings and Perspectives

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (11 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI