Crop Antiviral Immunity and Viral Counter-Defense Strategies

Dear Colleagues,

Viral diseases pose a severe threat to global food security, driving decades of explorations into crop antiviral immunity and viral counter-defense. Early research centered on cloning resistance (R) genes, while recent breakthroughs have unraveled core molecular networks, such as RNA silencing, autophagy pathways, phytohormone-mediated antiviral immunity, and NLR receptor-mediated antiviral immunity, alongside viral evasion via viral effectors, suppressors, viral genomics, and epigenetic manipulation. This Special Issue focuses on crop antiviral immunity mechanisms, viral counter-defense strategies, and crop–virus interactions. It highlights cutting-edge advances, including deciphering novel molecular mechanisms of viral effector proteins, non-canonical and canonical immune pathways, CRISPR-mediated resistance engineering, identification and utilization of novel antiviral genes, and AI-driven resistance gene improvement. We welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives on (1) viral pathogen identification and phylogeny; (2) molecular genetics of viral pathogenesis; (3) crop antiviral immunity mechanisms; and (4) antiviral breeding and biotechnologies.

This Special Issue aims to integrate and share pivotal knowledge on crop antiviral research, advancing sustainable agricultural development. We eagerly anticipate your valuable contributions.

Dr. Mingfeng Feng
Dr. Qiang Gao
Guest Editors

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