Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 30-39 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 37 Continued research in this field is vital for several reasons. First, understanding the molecular basis of tea plant resistance can lead to the development of more resistant cultivars, thereby reducing crop losses and improving yield and quality. This is particularly important given the economic significance of tea as a global commodity. Second, the insights gained from these studies can be applied to other crops, enhancing our overall understanding of plant-pathogen interactions and resistance mechanisms. Third, the development of eco-friendly biocontrol strategies, as opposed to reliance on chemical fungicides, is crucial for sustainable agriculture and environmental health. Finally, the ongoing identification and characterization of resistance genes and pathways can facilitate the rational engineering of plants with enhanced resistance to a broad spectrum of pathogens. Future studies should focus on several key areas to further advance our understanding and application of tea plant resistance mechanisms. While many resistance-related genes have been identified, their specific roles and mechanisms need to be validated through functional studies, such as gene knockout or overexpression experiments. Combining transcriptomics, metabolomics, and microbiome analyses can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the resistance mechanisms and identify potential biomarkers for resistance. Breeding programs should incorporate the identified resistance genes and pathways to develop new tea cultivars with enhanced resistance to multiple pathogens. Research should continue to explore and optimize the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and other biocontrol agents to induce systemic resistance in tea plants. Conducting long-term field studies to assess the effectiveness and stability of resistance traits under natural conditions will be crucial for practical applications. By addressing these areas, future research can significantly contribute to the sustainable cultivation of tea and other crops, ensuring food security and environmental sustainability. Acknowledgments Thanks very much for the feedback from the reviewers on the manuscript. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The author affirms that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Ahmad S., Wei X., Sheng Z., Hu P., and Tang S., 2020, CRISPR/Cas9 for development of disease resistance in plants: recent progress, limitations and future prospects, Briefings in Functional Genomics, 19(1): 26-39. https://doi.org/10.1093/bfgp/elz041 An C., and Mou Z., 2011, Salicylic acid and its function in plant immunity, Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 53(6): 412-428. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7909.2011.01043.x Bai Q., Duan B., Ma J., Fen Y., Sun S., Long Q., Lü J., and Wan D., 2020, Coexpression of PalbHLH1 and PalMYB90 genes from populus alba enhances pathogen resistance in poplar by increasing the flavonoid content, Frontiers in Plant Science, 10: 1772. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.01772 Borrelli V., Brambilla V., Rogowsky P., Marocco A., and Lanubile A., 2018, The enhancement of plant disease resistance using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology, Frontiers in Plant Science, 9: 1245. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01245 Chen Y., Yi N., Yao S., Zhuang J., Fu Z., Ma J., Yin S., Jiang X., Liu Y., Gao L., and Xia T., 2021, CsHCT-mediated lignin synthesis pathway involves in the response of tea plants to biotic and abiotic stresses, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69(35): 10069-10081. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.1c02771 Cui H., Tsuda K., and Parker J., 2015, Effector-triggered immunity: from pathogen perception to robust defense, Annual Review of Plant Biology, 66: 487-511. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-arplant-050213-040012 Das A., Sharma N., and Prasad M., 2019, CRISPR/Cas9: a novel weapon in the arsenal to combat plant diseases, Frontiers in Plant Science, 9: 2008. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.02008 Gallois J., Moury B., and German-Retana S., 2018, Role of the genetic background in resistance to plant viruses, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(10): 2856. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19102856 Hou S., and Tsuda K., 2022, Salicylic acid and jasmonic acid crosstalk in plant immunity, Essays in Biochemistry,66(5): 647-656. https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20210090
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