Genetic and Molecular Basis of Durable Disease Resistance in Cereal and Field Crops

Durable disease resistance remains one of the central goals of crop protection, requiring a detailed understanding of how plants recognize and respond to pathogens at the genetic and molecular level. Recent research has clarified how various host resistance (R) genes, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), and nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors detect pathogen invasion and trigger downstream defense responses. However, single-gene resistance is often rapidly overcome in the field by evolving pathogens, meaning long-term crop protection depends on a deeper understanding of multi-layered plant immunity, host-pathogen co-evolutionary dynamics, and effector-target interactions. While progress has been made in model species, extensive knowledge gaps remain in translating molecular and genomic discoveries into resilient, high-yielding field cultivars.This Research Topic focuses on the discovery and functional characterization of resistance genes and NLR immune receptors, the molecular dynamics of pathogen virulence and host-pathogen co-evolution, and the application of genome editing technologies, including CRISPR/Cas9, to engineer durable resistance traits. We seek to unite studies investigating physiological, molecular, and genetic mechanisms of plant immunity with those translating these insights into practical breeding applications. By bridging fundamental gene discovery with applied breeding outcomes, this collection aims to accelerate the development of resilient cereal and field crops. We welcome contributions addressing diverse crop species, pathogen types (fungal, bacterial, viral, and oomycete), and resistance mechanisms, with a particular focus on strategies that ensure long-lasting field performance.We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:-Discovery and functional characterization of novel resistance (R) genes, PRRs, and NLR immune receptors in cereal and other field crops.-Molecular mechanisms of plant immunity, including structural biology of receptor activation, downstream signaling cascades, and defense gene regulation.-Pathogen virulence, effector biology, host-pathogen co-evolutionary dynamics, and the mechanisms driving the breakdown of resistance.-Application of genome editing technologies to introduce, modify, or stack durable resistance traits.-Translational breeding strategies, from marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic prediction to the field deployment and agronomic evaluation of edited or novel resistant genotypes. Topic editors: Sylwia Okoń, Yanyong Cao Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83827/genetic-and-molecular-basis-of-durable-disease-resistance-in-cereal-and-field-crops