Genetics and Mechanisms of Disease Resistance in Crop
A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Pest and Disease Management".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2026 | Viewed by 33
Special Issue Editors
Interests: utilizing teosinte to conduct research on the excavation and utilization of stress-resistant gene resources; developing breeding materials resistant to maize ear rot; and carrying out functional analysis of drought-resistant and disease-resistant genes in maize
Interests: identification and functional characterization of disease-resistant genes in maize; deciphering the molecular dialog between fungal/bacterial pathogens and host plants; elucidation of plant immune signaling pathways in response to biotic stress
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Plant disease resistance has been a central research topic in crop science for over a century, dating back to the pioneering genetic studies in the 1920s, and the discovery of gene-for-gene interactions has revolutionized our understanding of plant–pathogen relationships, leading to the identification of numerous resistance (R) genes across different crop species. From classic studies on wheat rust resistance to modern molecular approaches, the field has evolved dramatically with the advancement of genomic technologies and, today, as global food security faces unprecedented challenges from emerging pathogens and climate change, understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying disease resistance has become more critical than ever.
This Special Issue of Agronomy aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in crop disease resistance genetics. We seek to bring together cutting-edge research that explores the molecular basis of plant immunity, from the identification and characterization of resistance genes to the complex regulatory networks governing immune responses. The scope of our collection encompasses all major crops and diverse types of pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes.
We invite original research articles, reviews, and short communications that contribute to our understanding of crop disease resistance genetics. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following topics: identification and functional characterization of R genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs); molecular mechanisms of plant–pathogen interactions; regulatory networks controlling immune responses; genome editing for disease resistance; marker-assisted breeding strategies; comparative genomics of resistance mechanisms across species; and the application of omics technologies in resistance breeding. We particularly encourage studies that bridge basic research with practical applications for crop improvement.
This Special Issue will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, breeders, and policymakers interested in advancing sustainable crop production through genetic improvement of disease resistance.
Dr. Xuanjun Feng
Dr. Yufang Xu
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- maize ear rot
- maize southern rust
- wheat stripe rust
- rice blast disease
- wheat fusarium head blight
- Tomato gray mold
- other diseases
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