Wheat Breeding for Disease Resistance

Dear Colleagues,

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important crops, providing energy and high-quality plant protein for a population of more than 1.6 billion people worldwide. Moreover, it accounts for over 25% of the global cereal production. In wheat, global yield loss estimates due to pests and pathogens range from 10.1 to 28.1%. The most cost-efficient method to manage disease in fields is through the deployment of disease-resistant (R) genes. The identification of different classes of R genes/QTLs or pathways will not only benefit us in improving crop disease resistance but will also serve as a foundational insight into diverse resistance mechanisms.

Plants developed multifaceted innate immunity systems during their long co-evolution alongside their pathogens. Furthermore, plants have evolved diverse R genes that can restrict different pathogens. The main plant R genes include (i) cell-surface receptors that activate pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) upon detecting certain microbe or damage-associated molecular patterns (M/DAMPs); (ii) intracellular immune receptors that recognize pathogen effectors and activate effector-triggered immunity (ETI); (iii) noncanonical and/or quantitative R genes that regulate various molecular pathways.

After identification, several downstream signaling events can be elicited in plants, such as the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of various resistance signaling cascades, and interaction with plant hormones (e.g., salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, auxin, etc.). Controlling and regulating these downstream resistance signaling events could be an effective strategy to improve crop resistance. In this exciting context, Plants is launching a Special Issue devoted to ‘Wheat Breeding for Disease Resistance’. Both original research and review articles are welcome. Potential topics include the following:

(i) Identification of Pm genes/QRLs/R-proteins that confer disease resistance.

(ii) The molecular mechanisms and related pathways involved in plant immunity to pathogens.

(iii) Allelic diversity, population genetics, and co-evolution of host resistance and pathogen virulence.

(iv) Resistance breeding and/or pyramiding R-genes for improving wheat resistance.

(v) New strategies and perspectives for disease control.

Dr. Yinghui Li
Guest Editor

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• wheat
• pathogens
• resistance gene
• plant immunity
• wheat breeding
• resistance mechanism