Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.4, 212-221 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 214 2.6 Anthracnose Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichumspp., is a fungal disease that affects cotton bolls, stems, and leaves. The disease manifests as dark, sunken lesions, which can lead to boll rot and significant yield losses. Research into anthracnose focuses on identifying resistant cotton varieties and understanding the pathogen's infection mechanisms. Molecular breeding and QTL mapping are valuable tools in developing anthracnose-resistant cotton strains, thereby improving fiber quality and production (Javed et al., 2019). By addressing these major cotton diseases through advanced research and biotechnological tools, the cotton industry can enhance fiber quality and ensure sustainable production. 3 Pathogen Mechanisms and Disease Progression 3.1 Pathogen entry and infection process Pathogens employ various strategies to enter and infect cotton plants, significantly impacting fiber quality and production. Verticillium dahliae, the causative agent of Verticillium wilt, initiates infection through the germination and growth of microsclerotia, followed by successful colonization of the host plant. This pathogen adapts to nutrient-deficient environments and competes for nutrients, suppresses and manipulates the cotton immune responses, and rapidly reproduces while secreting toxins (Figure 1) (Zhu et al., 2023). Similarly, Fusarium oxysporumf. sp. vasinfectum(FOV), responsible for Fusariumwilt, infects cotton through soil-borne spores that invade the plant's vascular system, leading to systemic infection (Zhang et al., 2020). The infection process of V. dahliae also involves the secretion of secondary metabolites that act as toxic factors to promote infection (Wang et al., 2020). Figure 1 Infection cycle of V. dahliae in generic host plants (Adopted from Zhu et al., 2023)
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