Plant Immunity: How Plants Respond to Pathogens

Dear Colleagues,

The mechanisms of the formation of phytobiomes with numerous viruses, microorganisms, and insects are complex and have not yet been evaluated on population, organismic, cellular, and molecular levels. These mechanisms are associated, on the one hand, with the controlling activity of the host immune system, and on the other, with the pathogen virulence system. Recent studies have shown that despite the absence of specific antibodies, circulating cells, and phagocytic processes in plants, plants have a multidimensional and effective innate immune system. Mechanisms of the plant defense to pathogens are being actively studied. Compounds which directly participate in defense reactions and mechanisms of the regulation of their synthesis with the participation of signaling molecules (including phytohormones and effectors of pathogens) are of particular interest. The complex of plant defense reactions includes physical and chemical barriers, which can be constitutive or inducible in response to infection. There is little information about the integral mechanisms of the signaling regulation of phytoimmunity with the participation of pathogen-induced proteins, the mechanisms of the formation of the RNA-interference system in response to infection with pathogens and viruses. Many questions are connected with the problem of the practical use of various natural regulatory mechanisms of phytoimmunity (e.g., the use of small interfering RNAs or specific plant proteins, which are induced in response to pathogenic infection). Data on the priming of plant defense reactions to pathogens and insect pests using various inducers (e.g., endophytes, endosymbionts) which make it possible to discuss the differential mechanism of action of signaling molecules are of particular interest. It is well-known that some strains of endophytic bacteria with a high mutualistic potential can participate in the development of host phenotype, and the complex of plant host and its endophytic mutualists is a multilevel defense system that can be more effective against phytopathogens and insects than the host plant alone. The development of methods for the formation of artificial plant metabiomes will make it possible to come even closer to the environmentalization of plant protection. Recently, scientists have increased their attention to the study of host–pathogen relations at the level of the regulation of the expression of the genes of the parasite and the host, the interaction of which ensures the development of the disease. The expression levels of effector genes and transcription factors in phytopathogenic fungi and their changes upon interaction with the host plant are an important characteristic of pathogenic properties, and can be used to analyze the interaction of genes in pathosystems. Thus, the articles which will be collected in this Issue can help us to answer one of the most difficult challenges of humankind related to increasing crop yields, and to take a step towards environmentally responsible agriculture.

We invite researchers to submit both original research and review articles that explore all aspects of innate and induced plant immunity.

Prof. Dr. Igor Maksimov
Dr. Nina Mironenko
Guest Editors

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