Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 345-357 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 352 The study revealed the molecular mechanism by which CmWRKY8-1 negatively regulates Hangbaiju disease resistance by regulating the SA signaling pathway, and also suggested the dual regulatory role of WRKY family members in plant stress resistance. The research results have important application value for the breeding of disease-resistant Hangbaiju varieties, and provide a new molecular basis for in-depth exploration of the hormone signaling network in plant-pathogen interactions. 5.3 Field performance and agronomic traits Field trials conducted under conditions of high pest and disease pressure have verified the comprehensive performance of resistant Hangbaiju varieties. For example, virus-free "Hangju" maintained high yield and medicinal quality after natural reinfection with B/R virus, outperforming the infected control plants (Bi et al., 2016). Similarly, in soils supplemented with biochar, the incidence of Fusarium oxysporum was significantly reduced, while yield and flower quality were also improved, indicating that resistant varieties can maintain good agronomic performance even under adverse conditions (Zhang et al., 2020). A key question in resistance breeding is whether there is a “trade-off” between disease resistance and yield or flower quality. But, several studies have shown that some resistant Hangbaiju lines can combine high yield with high-quality flowers. For example, the application of 10% rice straw biochar not only reduced the incidence of diseases, but also increased yield by 23.9%, and the total flavonoid content in flowers also increased significantly (Zhang et al., 2020). Virus-free and resistant lines also showed improvements in yield and medicinal ingredients, indicating that resistance traits can be bred in conjunction with excellent agronomic traits and quality indicators (Bi et al., 2016). 6 Application Prospects in Green Cultivation Systems 6.1 Role in pesticide reduction and ecological balance Promoting pest-resistant varieties of Chrysanthemum morifolium is a key step in achieving green cultivation systems by reducing chemical pesticide inputs. Field studies have shown that combining resistant strains with soil improvement measures such as rice straw biochar can inhibit the incidence of soil-borne pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporumby 42%-54%, while increasing yields by 23.9% compared to conventional planting methods (Chen et al., 2018). This model not only reduces dependence on synthetic pesticides, but also promotes the transition to low-input, environmentally friendly production methods, which is in line with the basic principles of sustainable agriculture (Munir and Bashir, 2019 ; Ikram et al., 2024). In green cultivation practices, the combination of resistant Hangbaiju varieties and organic soil conditioners has been shown to improve soil microbial diversity, increase the number of beneficial bacteria and actinomycetes, and inhibit the growth of harmful fungi (Chen et al., 2018). Improved soil health helps build a more resilient agricultural ecosystem and indirectly promotes the development of pollinator populations by reducing pesticide residues and creating an ecologically balanced planting environment. Although direct research on the number of pollinators in chrysanthemum systems is still limited, extensive research in the field of sustainable horticulture supports the positive ecological effects of "reducing pesticide use and increasing biodiversity" (Munir and Bashir, 2019 ; Chadfield et al., 2022). 6.2 Compatibility with organic and GAP standards Resistant Hangbaiju lines cultivated with minimal chemical inputs and sustainable soil management practices are well-suited for organic and Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification. The use of biochar and biostimulants, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), further enhances compliance with organic standards by improving plant health and stress tolerance without synthetic chemicals (Nelson et al., 2017; Chen et al., 2018). These practices facilitate the certification process and add value to the final product, making resistant lines attractive for organic and eco-labeled markets (Sniezko and Koch, 2017; Ahmad et al., 2020). Hangbaiju produced under green cultivation systems demonstrates higher yield, improved flavonoid content, and better overall quality, which are highly valued in health-conscious and premium markets (Sniezko and Koch, 2017; Chen et al., 2018; Ahmad et al., 2020). Certification and quality improvements can increase market
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