Plant Pathogen Interactions in Solanaceous Crops

Solanaceous crops such as potato, tomato, pepper and eggplant are subject to a diverse array of pathogens—including bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, viruses, nematodes—and to insect vectors that facilitate disease transmission. Host plants rely on innate immunity, deploying pattern recognition receptors to initiate basal defences (PTI) and resistance (R) proteins to trigger enhanced responses (ETI) often culminating in a hypersensitive response that limits pathogen spread. Many pathogens secrete effector proteins to subvert these defences, while host susceptibility factors can be exploited to breed resistant varieties. Advances in high-throughput transcriptomics, gene-editing and molecular diagnostics have refined our understanding of gene regulatory networks and effector-target interactions. The plant microbiome also contributes to disease suppression, offering novel avenues for biocontrol. Integrating resistance breeding, precision monitoring and tailored cultural practices is critical to managing disease pressure, ensuring yield stability and safeguarding global food security.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have refined our understanding of vector-mediated transmission dynamics of bacterial pathogens in Solanaceous systems. One seminal investigation assessed risk of bacterium transmission by psyllid species across solanaceous and apiaceous hosts, revealing that certain vectors exhibit host preferences that limit cross-crop spread and indicating that integrated pest management must consider vector feeding behaviours to mitigate disease. Another landmark study uncovered a novel haplotype of a phloem-limited bacterium associated with zebra chip and psyllid yellows diseases by analysing historical herbarium specimens and phylogenetics, highlighting the long-term evolution and hidden reservoirs of plant pathogens in wild solanaceous hosts. These findings have established a foundation for monitoring pathogen diversity and vector specificity across agricultural and natural landscapes.

Plant Pathogen Interactions in Solanaceous Crops publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in plant pathogen interactions in solanaceous crops across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Effector: A pathogen-derived molecule that alters host cell function to promote infection.

Haplotype: A group of genes or genetic markers inherited together that distinguish pathogen or vector lineages.

Phloem: The plant vascular tissue responsible for transport of nutrients, and the route for many systemic pathogens.

Transcriptome: The complete set of RNA transcripts produced by the genome under specific conditions.

Vector competence: The intrinsic ability of an organism, typically an insect, to acquire, maintain and transmit a pathogen.

References

1. Insights into Bactericera cockerelli and Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum interaction: a tissue-specific transcriptomic approach. Frontiers in Plant Science (2024).
2. An Overview of the Emergence of Plant Pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Europe. Microorganisms (2023).
3. Risk assessment of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ transmission by the psyllids Bactericera trigonica and B. tremblayi from Apiaceae crops to potato. Scientific Reports (2017).
4. New Ca. Liberibacter psyllaurous haplotype resurrected from a 49-year-old specimen of Solanum umbelliferum: a native host of the psyllid vector. Scientific Reports (2019).