Field Crop 2025, Vol.8, No.2, 93-101 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 93 Review Article Open Access Biotic Stress Resistance in Grapevines: A Review of Defense Mechanisms and Breeding Strategies Xiuhua Liu, Jun Wang, Qikun Huang Tropical Microbial Resources Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: qikun.huang@cuixi.org Field Crop, 2025, Vol.8, No.2 doi: 10.5376/fc.2025.08.0010 Received: 13 Feb., 2025 Accepted: 25 Mar., 2025 Published: 16 Apr., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Liu et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Liu X.H., Wang J., and Huang Q.K., 2025, Biotic stress resistance in grapevines: a review of defense mechanisms and breeding strategies, Field Crop, 8(2): 93-101 (doi: 10.5376/fc.2025.08.0010) Abstract Studying the defense mechanisms and breeding strategies for grapevine resistance to biotic stresses is crucial for reducing pesticide use, enhancing yield stability, and promoting sustainable agricultural development. This study summarizes the primary defense mechanisms of grapevines against biotic stresses, including innate immune responses, specific immune responses, biochemical defenses, and physical barriers. It also reviews the application of traditional hybrid breeding, marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in improving grapevine resistance, and analyzes several successful case studies, such as the development of powdery mildew-resistant, phylloxera-resistant, and multi-resistant grapevine varieties. The findings illustrate the practical outcomes of resistance breeding in agriculture, emphasizing that grapevine resistance is regulated by a combination of biological mechanisms and environmental factors. Abiotic stresses (e.g., drought and heat) often interact with biotic stresses, further complicating resistance research. To address these challenges, future research directions include integrating multi-omics technologies, fostering international collaboration to share germplasm resources, and leveraging precision breeding technologies to enhance the efficiency of resistant variety development. This study provides comprehensive insights into grapevine resistance research and practices, offering significant implications for sustainable grape production and disease management. Keywords Grapevine; Biotic stress; Resistance breeding; Defense mechanisms; Gene editing 1 Introduction When it comes to grapes, the first thing that comes to mind is the sweet and sour table grapes or the mellow wine (Viret et al., 2018). This fruit is indeed not simple. It can be seen in almost all climate conditions, from hot southern Europe to cool North America. But then again, although grapes are highly adaptable, they are often troubled by various diseases-downy mildew and powdery mildew are not a joke. If you don't pay attention, the grape yield will be reduced or even lost. In order to deal with these diseases, growers have put a lot of thought into it. Spraying pesticides is a routine operation, but everyone has a headache if too much pesticide is used (Zhu et al., 2012). It costs money and pollutes the environment. Interestingly, some grape varieties are naturally more disease-resistant, which has inspired researchers: if they can figure out the defense mechanism of these grapes and then "transplant" the disease resistance to other varieties through breeding, wouldn't it be killing two birds with one stone? Now scientists are already doing work in this area, such as locating disease-resistant genes and studying defense response mechanisms. What's more exciting is that new technologies such as gene editing may bring breakthroughs (Louime et al., 2010). Of course, the road is still long, but at least the direction is clear-breeding disease-resistant varieties will not only make grapes less likely to get sick, but also reduce the use of pesticides, which is good for the environment and growers. 2 Common Types of Biotic Stresses in Grapes 2.1 Diseases There are many problems in the process of grape cultivation, especially various diseases. When it comes to fungal diseases, powdery mildew is definitely a tough guy-this disease caused by Erysiphe necator is common in vineyards around the world (Possamai et al., 2021). Interestingly, this fungus is particularly "picky" and only
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