About this Research Topic

Background

Plant resilience against biotic stresses is essential for ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture. Enhanced plant defense mechanisms can significantly reduce crop losses caused by pests and pathogens. Recent advancements in molecular biology and genetic engineering offer novel approaches for bolstering plant immune responses. Plants have evolved sophisticated defense systems, such as pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). Recent studies have highlighted the role of callose synthases, malectin/malectin-like domain-containing receptor-like kinases (MRLKs), and RNA interference (RNAi) in plant immunity. Callose synthase genes, such as GhCalS5 in cotton, have been shown to enhance resistance to cotton aphids by upregulating callose formation, a vital barrier against pathogen invasion. Additionally, MRLKs in soybeans have been demonstrated to play critical roles in modulating PTI and ETI, potentially offering new avenues for enhancing soybean resistance against pathogens like Phytophthora sojae and bacterial blight. Furthermore, RNAi technologies, including Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) and Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS), have emerged as promising tools for crop protection. These techniques exploit small RNAs (sRNAs) to trigger silencing of pathogen genes, offering a targeted and environmentally friendly approach to pest and pathogen management. For instance, sRNAs produced by host plants can enter into pathogen cells during invasion, effectively silencing pathogen genes and reducing disease severity.

This Research Topic aims to explore innovative molecular and genetic strategies to enhance plant defense mechanisms against an array of biotic stresses. The main objectives include investigating the roles of callose synthases and MRLKs in plant immunity, advancing RNAi technologies for crop protection, and developing new gene/vector designs for improved plant resistance. Specific questions to be addressed include: How do callose synthases like GhCalS5 enhance resistance to insect pests and pathogens? What are the regulatory mechanisms of MRLKs in PTI and ETI? How can RNAi technologies be optimized for effective pest and pathogen management?

To gather further insights into the innovative molecular and genetic strategies for enhancing plant defenses, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Role of Callose Synthases in Plant Defense: Exploring molecular mechanisms of callose synthases like GhCalS5 in enhancing plant resistance to insect pests and pathogens

- Function and Regulation of MRLKs: Investigating the roles of malectin/malectin-like domain-containing receptor-like kinases in PTI and ETI, and their potential for engineering disease-resistant crops

- RNA Interference (RNAi) Technologies in Crop Protection: Advances in HIGS and SIGS technologies for controlling plant diseases through gene silencing

- Gene/Vector Design for Enhanced Plant Immunity: Innovations in vector design and gene editing techniques to develop plants with improved resistance to biotic stresses

- Preclinical and Field Trials of Genetically Modified Plants: Efficacy and safety studies on genetically engineered plants employing molecular and genetic strategies for enhanced defense

- Techno-Economic Analyses: Evaluating the economic viability of deploying advanced molecular strategies for crop protection

- Regulatory and Ethical Considerations: Addressing the regulatory frameworks and ethical concerns related to genetically modified plants for enhanced defense mechanisms

By fostering collaboration among researchers from diverse fields, this Research Topic aims to advance our understanding and application of innovative molecular and genetic strategies to develop resilient crops. We welcome contributions from both academia and industry to drive progress toward sustainable and effective agricultural practices.

Article types and fees

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

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... 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
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: plant defense mechanisms, plant-resilience, biotic stress, PAMP, PTI, HIGS, SIGS

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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