Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 189-199 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 189 Research Insight Open Access Emerging Viral and Mycoviral Threats to Rice Cultivation Danyan Ding Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: 723822780@qq.com Molecular Pathogens, 2024, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/mp.2024.15.0018 Received: 01 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 15 Jul., 2024 Published: 31 Jul., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Ding, 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: Ding D.Y., 2024, Emerging viral and mycoviral threats to rice cultivation, Molecular Pathogens, 15(4): 189-199 (doi: 10.5376/mp.2024.15.0018) Abstract With the emergence of new viruses and the discovery of mycoviruses in rice-associated fungi, the health and yield of rice are increasingly under threat. This study analyzes the mechanisms of interaction between rice and these pathogens, focusing particularly on the molecular and cellular basis of viral infection, as well as the immune responses of rice to these threats. It also reviews existing control strategies, including traditional agricultural practices, the breeding of virus-resistant rice varieties, biotechnological approaches such as gene editing and RNA interference, and the use of microbial biocontrol agents to manage these threats. The establishment of global monitoring systems and the promotion of international collaboration are seen as key factors in addressing future outbreaks of viruses and mycoviruses. This study aims to address these emerging viral and mycoviral threats through technological innovation and global cooperation, ensuring the sustainable development of rice cultivation and the security of global food supplies. Keywords Rice (Oryza sativaL.); Emerging viruses; Mycoviruses; Immune responses; Biocontrol agents 1 Introduction Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for more than half of the world's population, making its cultivation critical for global food security. However, rice production is increasingly threatened by a variety of viral and mycoviral pathogens. Viral diseases, often transmitted by insect vectors such as leafhoppers and planthoppers, have caused significant yield losses in rice-producing regions, particularly in Asia (Wei and Li, 2016). Notable viruses include the southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV), rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV), and rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV), which have led to devastating epidemics. In addition to viral threats, mycoviruses—viruses that infect fungi—pose a significant risk to rice cultivation by affecting fungal pathogens that cause diseases such as rice blast, rice false smut, and rice sheath blight (Umer et al., 2023). Mycoviruses have been identified in major fungal pathogens like Pyricularia oryzae, Ustilaginoidea virens, and Rhizoctonia solani, which are responsible for substantial yield reductions. These mycoviruses can influence the pathogenicity and virulence of their fungal hosts, thereby indirectly impacting rice health and productivity. The emergence of rice viruses has been documented since the late 19th century, with 19 species recorded globally, each causing varying degrees of damage to rice crops (Wang et al., 2022). The spread of these viruses has often been linked to agricultural practices, such as crop intensification and the movement of infected plant material. For instance, RYMV emerged in East Africa in the 19th century following the intensification of rice cultivation along the Indian Ocean coast and later spread inland with the introduction of rice (Pinel-Galzi et al., 2015). Mycoviruses, on the other hand, have been studied for several decades, with significant discoveries made in recent years. The diversity of mycoviruses in rice pathogens has been revealed through advanced metatranscriptomic analyses, identifying numerous novel mycoviruses and highlighting their widespread presence in fungal pathogens. These studies have shown that mycoviruses are not only common but also highly diverse, with many new species being discovered in recent years (Jiang et al., 2015; He et al., 2022).
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