Surprises learned from plant immunity-challenges and opportunities for crop protection

Authors: Jia, Yulin; ZHAO, HAIJUN - Former ARS Employee; WANG, XUEYAN - Former ARS Employee

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/23/2018
Publication Date: 7/29/2018
Citation: Jia, Y., Zhao, H., Wang, X. 2018. Surprises learned from plant immunity-challenges and opportunities for crop protection. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, July 29 - August 3, 2018.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plant species have coevolved with pathogens and have survived under changing environments. The molecular mechanisms of disease resistance have been a focus of intense research over the last two decades. From the simplest model of elicitor and receptor interaction, to the complex active and passive defense responses learned from the plant kingdom, research has illustrated that plants have evolved remarkable multifaceted and sophisticated defense systems. These defense systems include localized and systemic responses, all of which are governed by major and minor resistance (R) genes. For example, rice R genes that prevent infections by the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae were found among all rice chromosomes. Some blast R genes and genes controlling plant productivity are co-localized on recombination suppressed chromosomal regions of the rice genome. As a result, some robust R genes may have been lost and not effectively utilized due to domestication and extensive crop improvement efforts. Continued investigation of molecular mechanisms of plant immunity and cross-talk among genes involved in productivity, can be enhanced by effective utilization of recent cutting edge technology like CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing. Contemporary knowledge of plant immunity and development of utilization strategies for crop improvement will be presented.