Plant Defense Mechanisms Against Pathogens: Signaling Pathways, Genetic Foundations, and Biotechnological Innovations

Dear Colleagues, 

Plants are continually exposed to a diverse range of microbial pathogens, including fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. To survive these challenges, they have evolved sophisticated and multilayered defense systems, comprising pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). These dynamic and robust mechanisms are essential for maintaining plant health and productivity.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the molecular and genetic signaling pathways that underpin plant defense responses to pathogen infection. It will also spotlight cutting-edge biotechnological innovations designed to enhance disease resistance in plants.

Topics covered may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Defense signaling pathways involving pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), receptor-like kinases (RLKs), nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptors, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs), transcriptional regulators, and secondary metabolites.
• Genomic and epigenetic approaches to understanding plant immunity, such as genome-wide association studies (GWASs), transcriptomics, small RNA analyses, and chromatin remodeling.
• Biotechnological strategies to strengthen plant immunity under pathogen stress, including CRISPR/Cas genome editing, gene pyramiding, transgenic technologies, microbial biocontrol agents, and synthetic biology tools for durable and broad-spectrum resistance.

We invite original research articles, reviews, and other scholarly contributions that advance our understanding of plant–pathogen interactions and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. This collection aims to inspire innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture, addressing global challenges in crop protection and food security while minimizing environmental impact.

Dr. Ye Xia
Prof. Dr. Shouan Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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