Molecular and Physiological Mechanisms of Responses to Phytopathogenic Filamentous Fungal Infection in Horticultural Plants

Horticultural crops—encompassing fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals—represent a cornerstone of global food security and the agricultural economy. Among the most devastating threats they face are filamentous fungal pathogens, including Botrytis, Fusarium, Verticillium, Colletotrichum, and Coniella fungi, which cause enormous yield and quality losses worldwide. Unlike crops that benefit from well-characterized model-pathogen systems, horticultural species exhibit diverse tissue-specific and developmentally regulated immune programs, yet their defense mechanisms remain comparatively underexplored. Deciphering how horticultural plants perceive, transduce, and execute defense against filamentous fungi is therefore both a fundamental scientific challenge and an urgent agricultural priority, particularly under climate change that increasingly favors disease outbreaks.This Research Topic aims to showcase and disseminate cutting-edge advances in the molecular and physiological responses of horticultural plants to filamentous fungal infection. We seek to build an integrated picture spanning pattern recognition, effector biology, hormone signaling (salicylic acid, jasmonate, ethylene, and others), reactive oxygen species homeostasis, cell wall reinforcement, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and microbiome-mediated resistance. Recent breakthroughs—including the structural and functional elucidation of fungal effectors, the ongoing discovery and expansion of signaling pathways involved in plant‑mediated disease resistance, the mining and exploitation of plant‑derived resistance‑active compounds, and the application of multi‑omics and gene‑editing technologies—have provided unprecedented opportunities to connect molecular mechanisms with physiological outcomes. Contributions integrating transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, genomics, and phenotypic data, as well as studies translating mechanistic insight into durable, sustainable disease management strategies, are particularly encouraged.We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Methods, and Perspective manuscripts addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:• Recognition and signaling events in horticultural plants upon fungal infection• Functional dissection of interactions among effectors, immune receptors, and resistance genes• Phytohormone crosstalk and redox regulation governing resistance• Metabolic and cell-wall-based defense responses• Beneficial microbe- and microbiome-mediated protection against filamentous fungi• Multi-omics approaches to dissect plant–fungus interactions• Translational strategies for breeding durable resistance in horticultural crops• Manuscripts should present rigorous, reproducible evidence and clearly articulate their relevance to horticultural plant pathology and sustainable production.-------We welcome contributions from researchers across the field, and we are glad to support you as you prepare your submission. If you would like early feedback on whether your planned manuscript fits the scope of this Research Topic, please write to us at plantscience@frontiersin.org before submitting. A quick check at this stage helps confirm your work is a strong fit and can save you time later in the process.To take part, click “Participate in this topic” at the top right of this page, then confirm through the “Participate” link in the follow-up email. This lets us know to expect your contribution, keeps you informed of key deadlines, and gives you access to resources that guide you through submission. We would also be glad to talk with you about possible routes for support with the Article Processing Charge (APC).We look forward to your participation and to building a vibrant, cohesive Research Topic together. Topic editors: Tinggang Li, Ezzeldin Ibrahim, Dan Wang, Li Nan Yang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86773/molecular-and-physiological-mechanisms-of-responses-to-phytopathogenic-filamentous-fungal-infection-in-horticultural-plants