Biotic stress can either increase or reduce a plant's susceptibility to specific pathogens. A wide range of plant pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, modulate various elements of plant defense mechanisms that influence disease development and the physiological state of host plants. However, plant hosts are neither static nor defenseless. Plants have developed active and dynamic, complex defense mechanisms to protect themselves against different pathogenic stressors. These defense mechanisms consist of multiple components and can be categorized into pre-formed, natural barriers or inducible defense responses, which are activated upon pathogen detection. The inducible response, also known as ‘basal resistance’ or ‘innate immunity,’ is regulated by signal transduction and transcriptional networks. Moreover, plant responses to pathogens are finely tuned at the immune receptor, cellular, proteomic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic levels. This dynamic interaction exemplifies a sophisticated molecular ‘arms race’ in the co-evolution of plant-pathogen relationships, especially in the development of novel components involved in this interaction. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the broad spectrum and underlying elements of defense mechanisms in plant-pathogen interactions is essential for improving plant resistance to pathogens.

This Research Topic explores current knowledge and novel insights regarding the structural, molecular, and physiological aspects of plant defense mechanisms during interactions with pathogens. We welcome studies that adopt interdisciplinary approaches to decode the vast complexity of these defense mechanisms and underlying resistance responses. Host plants rely on a multilayered defense response system to mitigate pathogen infection. Thus, understanding how pathogens adapt to infect plant hosts and how plants develop diverse resistance mechanisms to counteract these pathogens will provide crucial scientific support for better prevention and control of plant diseases.

In recent years, significant advancements have been made in understanding the biology of plant-pathogen interactions, including developments at the genetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic levels. However, the full scope of the interaction between pathogens and plants remains incompletely understood. This Research Topic aims to expand our understanding of the molecular elements of plant defense mechanisms against pathogens. We aim to bring together the latest advances in plant response mechanisms, including plant signaling (including hormones), resistance genes, and plant secondary metabolites during ongoing plant-pathogen interactions. We also invite studies related to the cloning and functional analysis of key stress genes. Additionally, research on the effects of exogenous compounds in boosting the activation and function of defense mechanisms against various pathogens is welcomed.

This Research Topic focuses on deciphering the cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with plant defense responses to pathogens. We welcome reviews and original research articles that advance knowledge and understanding of the following aspects:

- Molecular interactions between plants and pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, oomycetes, and nematodes.
- Plant pathogenesis mechanisms.
- Plant physiology during pathogen interactions.
- Plant immune responses to pathogens at the molecular and cellular levels.
- Evasion and/or suppression of plant defense responses by pathogens.

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Frontiers in Plant Science

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