Genetic Resistance Mechanisms in Grapevine Pathogen Interactions
Summary
Grapevine defence against fungal and oomycete pathogens relies on a layered genetic resistance system that combines pre-formed barriers, inducible responses and specialised immune receptors. Surface waxes and cell‐wall fortification limit pathogen entry, while intracellular nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) proteins detect pathogen effectors and activate hypersensitive cell death and reactive oxygen species bursts. Major resistance loci such as Ren, Rpv and Rgb have been mapped in wild Vitis species and introgressed into cultivated grapevine, often conferring strong race‐specific protection. In parallel, quantitative resistance underpinned by multiple minor loci provides broader but partial control, reducing disease severity without complete immunity. Metabolomic defences including stilbenoid phytoalexins further inhibit pathogen growth. Recent advances in high‐throughput sequencing, transcriptomics and genome editing have accelerated the discovery and functional characterisation of resistance alleles. The stacking of diverse resistance genes through marker‐assisted selection and genomic prediction promises durable protection, significant reductions in fungicide inputs and enhanced sustainability of viticulture under global disease pressure.
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Genetic Resistance Mechanisms in Grapevine Pathogen Interactions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in genetic resistance mechanisms in grapevine pathogen interactions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Quantitative trait locus (QTL): A genomic region correlated with variation in a measurable trait such as disease resistance.
NLR protein: A plant intracellular immune receptor with nucleotide‐binding and leucine‐rich repeat domains that recognises pathogen effectors.
Effector: A molecule secreted by a pathogen to facilitate infection or trigger host defence responses.
Stilbenoid: A class of antimicrobial phenolic compounds produced by grapevine in response to pathogen attack.
Marker‐assisted selection: A breeding approach using DNA markers linked to desirable traits to expedite cultivar development.
References
- Discovery and genome-guided mapping of REN12 from Vitis amurensis, conferring strong, rapid resistance to grapevine powdery mildew. Horticulture Research (2023).
- Advances in understanding grapevine downy mildew: From pathogen infection to disease management. Molecular Plant Pathology (2023).
- Towards Marker-Assisted Breeding for Black Rot Bunch Resistance: Identification of a Major QTL in the Grapevine Cultivar ‘Merzling’. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
- Resistance to Plasmopara viticolain a grapevine segregating population is associated with stilbenoid accumulation and with specific host transcriptional responses. BMC Plant Biology (2011).
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