About this Research Topic

Background

Coniferous plants are an ancient and widely distributed group, that play a crucial ecological role in habitats such as virgin forests, swamps and wetlands, especially in high-latitude regions. As a pioneer in biological succession, conifers possess abundant genetic diversity, enabling them to adapt to various environments. In recent decades, rare species have gained recognition for their significant commercial, medical, and ecological value. However, human activities have led to the fragmentation of conifer habitats, and the impact of global climate change has increased the prevalence of diseases and pests, posing a substantial challenge to their survival. The influence of climate, soil environments, microorganisms and insects on the physiology and pathology of coniferous trees is extensive, including areas such as host development, reproduction, secondary metabolism, resistance and genetics.

Soil desertification and salinization pose a significant threat to the survival of conifers. Pathogens and pests further contribute to the degradation of native coniferous vegetation. Additionally, the colonization of beneficial microorganisms can enhance host biomass, improve resistance to abiotic stresses, and even stimulate the biosynthesis of compounds like phenols, flavonoids and phytoalexins to combat pathogens. These findings offer valuable insights into the genetics and breeding of conifers. However, certain aspects of research in this field remain unclear, such as the differences in soil properties and microbial communities in conifer habitats in the context of climate change, the role of environmental microorganisms or insects in facilitating the adaptation of conifers to their surroundings, the mechanisms underlying symbiosis and induced resistance between microorganisms or insects and conifers, and the physiological responses and mechanisms through which conifer develop resistance when interacting with pathogens. From an ecological perspective, it is crucial to understand the relationship between coniferous trees and biotic or abiotic stresses to promote forest health and enhance ecological management.

The aim of this issue is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the physiological and pathological responses that occur during the interaction between conifers and various stresses (biotic and abiotic) in diverse geographical and climatic conditions. To achieve this goal, it is important to focus on the response of conifers to changes in soil environments, and the potential of beneficial microorganisms in enhancing the host's resistance against both biotic and abiotic stress factors. Furthermore, it is essential to investigate the pathogenicity of pests and harmful microorganisms, analyze the dynamics of interactions, and unravel the mechanisms underlying host resistance. Recent advances in this field have shed light on the economic and ecological value of conifers. By conducting these studies, we can develop novel strategies for the conservation and sustainable utilization of conifer resources, ultimately benefiting both the economy and the environment.

The scope of this research topic encompasses several specific themes that we would like contributors to address, and we are interested in but not limited to manuscripts that present original research, reviews, and perspectives related to these themes:

• The habitat and community diversity of coniferous plants, focusing on the stress-mediated evolutionary, physiological and functional differences among conifers using genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic approaches.

• The physiological changes and adaptive evolution of conifers in response to variable climates, changes in the soil environment, and their interaction with the microbiome.

• The interaction between beneficial microorganisms and conifers, including bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, parasitic fungi, and symbiotic edible fungi, with a focus on their roles in promoting growth, antagonism, and inducing host resistance.

• The epidemiology, interaction and pathogenicity of diseases affecting conifers, such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, and nematodes.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: coniferous plant, biotic and abiotic stresses, microbe-host interaction, adaptive evolution

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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