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Advances in Research on Diseases of Plants (2nd Edition)
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Advances in Research on Diseases of Plants (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 10496

Editor

Prof. Dr. Wei Cheng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
Interests: plant-pathogen interactions; plant immunity; plant defense signaling; genetic engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In their natural habitats, plants inevitably encounter a broad range of microbial pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, viruses, nematodes, and other organisms. Plants have evolved sophisticated defense mechanisms to protect themselves against these potential threats. Some adapted pathogens can evade or overcome host immune systems to cause diseases, which pose great risks to food safety and security. The advances in research on diseases of plants may provide effective strategies for the sustainable control of these diseases.

In this Special Issue of Biology, we welcome fundamental and advanced applied research articles or reviews on genetics, omics, biochemistry, and molecular biology in the field of plant–pathogen interactions that advance our understanding of plant disease or disease controls.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Wei Cheng
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • phytopathogen
  • plant immunity
  • plant disease resistance
  • gene expression/regulation
  • signal regulation
  • pathogenesis
  • virulence
  • genetic engineering
  • disease control

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 22272 KB  
Article
CaNAC61, CaNAC79, and CaNAC92 Act as Negative Regulators in Pepper Defense Response Against Phytophthora capsici
by Yu Wang, Moli Chu, Beibei Gong, Xueqi Li, Jie Wang, Muhammad Azeem, Yawei Li and Wei Cheng
Biology 2026, 15(12), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15120943 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 288
Abstract
Phytophthora blight, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici, is a devastating disease that severely constrains pepper (Capsicum annuum) production, leading to significant yield reduction and quality deterioration. Pathogen infection elicits a host immune response that involves extensive transcriptional reprogramming, [...] Read more.
Phytophthora blight, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici, is a devastating disease that severely constrains pepper (Capsicum annuum) production, leading to significant yield reduction and quality deterioration. Pathogen infection elicits a host immune response that involves extensive transcriptional reprogramming, during which transcription factors (TFs) act as key regulatory hubs linking upstream signaling cascades to downstream defense gene expression networks. NAC TFs represent a plant-specific gene family and play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and response to various stresses. However, the infection-responsive transcriptional dynamics and functions of NAC TFs during pepper–P. capsici interactions remain poorly elucidated. In this study, transcriptome profiling and RT-qPCR analysis of pepper plants challenged with P. capsici identified three NAC TF genes—CaNAC61, CaNAC79, and CaNAC92—that were consistently upregulated at the infection stages. Subcellular localization assays demonstrated that all these three proteins localize to the nucleus. Silencing of CaNAC61, CaNAC79, or CaNAC92 in pepper conferred enhanced resistance to P. capsici. In contrast, their transient overexpression in pepper leaves significantly promoted lesion expansion and suppressed transcript levels of the defense marker genes CaPR1, CaDEF1, and CaLOX1. Consistently, heterologous overexpression in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana further validated CaNAC61, CaNAC79, and CaNAC92 as negative regulators in resistance to P. capsici. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that CaNAC61, CaNAC79, and CaNAC92 negatively regulate plant resistance to P. capsici, expanding the functional diversity of NAC TFs in plant immune responses and providing valuable candidate targets for genetic improvement against Phytophthora blight. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Diseases of Plants (2nd Edition))
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18 pages, 2083 KB  
Article
RK3, a G-Type LecRLK, Interacts with FLS2 and BAK1 to Promote flg22-Triggered Immunity
by Lu Zhang, Zhengdong Yuan, Lingya Yao and Hui Xiao
Biology 2026, 15(11), 822; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15110822 - 23 May 2026
Viewed by 435
Abstract
Lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLKs) are a large subfamily of receptor-like kinases (RLKs), and their N-terminal lectin domain is predicted to reversibly bind to carbohydrates. Within this family, G-type LecRLKs represent a distinct subclass defined by an extracellular S-locus glycoprotein (SLG) domain, which was [...] Read more.
Lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLKs) are a large subfamily of receptor-like kinases (RLKs), and their N-terminal lectin domain is predicted to reversibly bind to carbohydrates. Within this family, G-type LecRLKs represent a distinct subclass defined by an extracellular S-locus glycoprotein (SLG) domain, which was originally identified for its role in governing self-incompatibility in Brassica species. Emerging evidence suggests that G-type LecRLKs are involved in plant immunity; however, only a small fraction have been functionally characterized, leaving the roles of most family members largely unknown. In this study, we identified RK3 (Receptor Kinase 3) as the most strongly induced gene within the G-type LecRLK clade VI upon infection with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000). Through both gain- and loss-of-function analyses, we demonstrated that RK3 positively regulates flg22-induced immune signaling events, including oxidative burst and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, as well as downstream responses such as defense gene expression and ethylene production. Remarkably, the immune-enhancing activity of RK3 does not require its kinase domain. Critically, both full-length RK3 and a kinase-deleted variant (RK3-ΔK) constitutively interact with FLS2 (Flagellin-Sensing 2) and BAK1 (BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1-associated receptor kinase 1). This provides direct evidence that RK3 functions primarily as a co-regulatory component within the PRR complex, independent of its kinase activity. Moreover, ectopic expression of RK3 in tomato enhanced resistance to Pst DC3000, highlighting its potential utility in engineering disease resistance in crops. Thus, RK3 reveals a non-canonical, kinase-independent mechanism by which a G-type LecRLK potentiates plant immunity, expanding our understanding of RLK signaling complexity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Diseases of Plants (2nd Edition))
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18 pages, 15862 KB  
Article
The WRKY Transcription Factor GmWRKY40 Enhances Soybean Resistance to Phytophthora sojae via the Jasmonic Acid Pathway
by Hong Gao, Chuanzhong Zhang, Gengpu Zhang, Fengcai Guo, Yan Sun, Xin Fang, Xiaoyu Chen, Kexin Ma, Xiran Wang, Kexin Li, Jiapeng Tong, Junjiang Wu, Pengfei Xu and Shuzhen Zhang
Biology 2025, 14(12), 1769; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14121769 - 11 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1083
Abstract
Phytophthora root and stem rot is a destructive soybean disease worldwide, and thus improving soybean resistance to P. sojae is a major breeding target. However, the complex regulatory networks governing host defense remain unclear. Our previous study showed that GmWRKY40 positively regulates resistance [...] Read more.
Phytophthora root and stem rot is a destructive soybean disease worldwide, and thus improving soybean resistance to P. sojae is a major breeding target. However, the complex regulatory networks governing host defense remain unclear. Our previous study showed that GmWRKY40 positively regulates resistance of soybean to P. sojae. Here, to explore its molecular mechanism, we found that GmWRKY40 is induced by P. sojae in resistant cultivars and that the protein localizes in nucleus. RNA-seq and metabolomic analyses revealed that GmWRKY40 modulates the jasmonate (JA) signaling pathway. We then found that GmWRKY40 directly suppresses the key JA repressor GmJAZ1 by binding to the promoter. This leads to higher endogenous JA levels, and the overall state of enhanced resistance is also characterized by elevated SOD and POD antioxidant enzyme activity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that GmWRKY40 interacts with GmWRKY36, a transcription factor identified as a negative regulator of P. sojae infection in this research. Taken together, our study delineates a novel regulatory module where GmWRKY40 enhances resistance to P. sojae through a dual mechanism: activating the JA pathway by repressing its suppressor GmJAZ1, and engaging in a potentially antagonistic interaction with the negative regulator GmWRKY36, ultimately enhancing soybean resistance to P. sojae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Diseases of Plants (2nd Edition))
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11 pages, 1636 KB  
Communication
Development of Triangle RNA Nanostructure for Enhancing RNAi-Mediated Control of Botrytis cinerea Through Spray-Induced Gene Silencing Without Extra Nanocarrier
by Ya Chen, Yiqing Liu, Yani Huang, Fangli Wu and Weibo Jin
Biology 2025, 14(11), 1616; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14111616 - 18 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1086
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea, a necrotrophic fungal pathogen responsible for gray mold, poses a severe threat to over 1400 plant species, causing significant pre- and postharvest losses worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi)-based strategies, particularly spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS), have emerged as environmentally friendly alternatives to [...] Read more.
Botrytis cinerea, a necrotrophic fungal pathogen responsible for gray mold, poses a severe threat to over 1400 plant species, causing significant pre- and postharvest losses worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi)-based strategies, particularly spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS), have emerged as environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides. However, the application of naked double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) suffers from poor stability and low cellular uptake. In this study, we engineered a self-assembling triangular RNA nanoparticle, termed Bc-triangle, targeting four virulence genes of B. cinerea—BcDCL1, BcPPI10, BcNMT1 and BcBAC. The nanostructure was designed using RNA origami principles and produced in Escherichia coli. Functional assays demonstrated that Bc-triangle significantly inhibited conidial germination and mycelial growth in vitro, and markedly reduced disease severity in plants. Compared with linear dsRNA, Bc-triangle showed superior persistence and efficacy, with lesion area reduction sustained up to 10 days post-spraying. qRT-PCR analysis revealed substantial downregulation of the target genes, especially BcNMT1, indicating enhanced RNAi activation. These findings establish RNA nanotechnology as a powerful platform for transgene-free, programmable, and sustainable control of fungal pathogens in crop production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Diseases of Plants (2nd Edition))
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16 pages, 6389 KB  
Article
Biocontrol Potential of Rhizosphere Bacteria Against Fusarium Root Rot in Cowpea: Suppression of Mycelial Growth and Conidial Germination
by Qinghua Zhu, Yixuan Ma, Tong Zhang, Weirong Liu, Songbai Zhang, Yue Chen, Di Peng and Xin Zhang
Biology 2025, 14(8), 921; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14080921 - 23 Jul 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1725
Abstract
The cultivation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), a vital vegetable crop, faces significant threats from Fusarium spp.-induced root rot. In this study, three fungal pathogens (Fusarium falciforme HKFf, Fusarium incarnatum HKFi, and Fusarium oxysporum HKFo) were isolated from symptomatic cowpea plants, [...] Read more.
The cultivation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), a vital vegetable crop, faces significant threats from Fusarium spp.-induced root rot. In this study, three fungal pathogens (Fusarium falciforme HKFf, Fusarium incarnatum HKFi, and Fusarium oxysporum HKFo) were isolated from symptomatic cowpea plants, and we screened 90 rhizobacteria from healthy rhizospheres using six culture media. Among these pathogens, Priestia megaterium TSA-10E showed a notable suppression of F. oxysporum HKFo (63.21%), F. incarnatum HKFi (55.16%), and F. falciforme HKFf (50.93%). In addition, Bacillus cereus KB-6 inhibited the mycelial growth of F. incarnatum HKFi and F. oxysporum HKFo by 42.39% and 47.93%, respectively. Critically, cell-free filtrates from P. megaterium TSA-10E and B. cereus KB-6 cultures reduced conidial germination in F. oxysporum HKFo and F. incarnatum HKFi, highlighting their role in disrupting the early infection stages. In greenhouse trials, TSA-10E and KB-6 reduced disease severity by 48.7% and 40.4%, respectively, with treated plants maintaining healthy growth while untreated controls succumbed to wilting. Broad-spectrum assays revealed that B. subtilis TSA-6E and P. megaterium TSA-10E were potent antagonists against both economic and grain crop pathogens. These findings underscore the potential of rhizobacteria as sustainable biocontrol agents for managing root rot disease caused by Fusarium spp. in cowpea cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Diseases of Plants (2nd Edition))
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Review

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29 pages, 9335 KB  
Review
Plant Disease Suppressiveness Enhancement via Soil Health Management
by Chinmayee Priyadarshini, Rattan Lal, Pu Yuan, Wenshan Liu, Ashna Adhikari, Santosh Bhandari and Ye Xia
Biology 2025, 14(8), 924; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14080924 - 23 Jul 2025
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5034
Abstract
Managing soil-borne pathogens and diseases in plants is particularly challenging because the pathogens that cause them can persist in the soil for extended periods, often resulting in repeated crop damage in affected areas. These destructive diseases compromise plant health by weakening the root [...] Read more.
Managing soil-borne pathogens and diseases in plants is particularly challenging because the pathogens that cause them can persist in the soil for extended periods, often resulting in repeated crop damage in affected areas. These destructive diseases compromise plant health by weakening the root systems, which makes the plants more susceptible to environmental stress and nutritional deficiencies. Every year in the United States, a whopping $9.6 million is allocated to reverse the harmful effects of pesticides on humans, plants, animals, and the environment. On the contrary, disease-suppressive soils offer an effective strategy for controlling pathogens while ensuring the least contamination of the environment. These soils can be managed by both conventional and advanced methods, such as reduced tillage, crop rotation, organic amendments, nanoparticles, omics approaches, and biofumigation. However, these soils can be local in nature, and their properties might be disrupted by common agricultural practices like tillage and agro-chemical application. This review synthesizes the concepts and mechanisms of disease suppression in soils and explores the ways that can be improved through the management of soil health for enhanced plant health and yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Diseases of Plants (2nd Edition))
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