Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 189-199 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 195 effective strategy for controlling viral infections in rice. These advanced techniques offer the potential to develop transgene-free, virus-resistant rice varieties with enhanced resistance to a wide range of pathogens (Zhao et al., 2019). The CRISPR/Cas system plays an important role in plant antiviral defense and control. When plant viruses invade plant cells, they rely on host factors for uncoating, transcription, or translation, and they replicate their genomes in the cytoplasm or nucleus. The CRISPR/Cas9 system inhibits viral infection by targeting viral DNA or RNA, disrupting or interfering with the viral genome within the cell. For RNA viruses, Cas13 or FnCas9 can target viral RNA, while DNA viruses are primarily targeted by Cas9 through their DNA. Figure 3 Schematic representation of class 2 CRISPR/Cas systems to confer resistance to plant viruses (Adopted from Cao et al., 2020) 6.4 Application of microbial biocontrol agents in managing viral and mycoviral threats The application of microbial biocontrol agents is an emerging strategy for managing viral and mycoviral threats in rice cultivation. Beneficial microorganisms, such as certain bacteria and fungi, can suppress the growth of pathogens and enhance the plant's immune response. These biocontrol agents offer an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical treatments and can be integrated into sustainable disease management programs. Research is ongoing to identify and develop effective microbial biocontrol agents that can be used to protect rice crops from viral and mycoviral infections (Liu et al., 2021; Sahu et al., 2022). 7 Global Monitoring and Surveillance of Rice Viruses and Mycoviruses 7.1 Importance of early detection and real-time monitoring Early detection and real-time monitoring of rice viruses and mycoviruses are crucial for mitigating the impact of these pathogens on global rice production. The rapid spread of viral diseases, exacerbated by globalization and climate change, poses a significant threat to food security. High-throughput sequencing and nucleic acid amplification methods have revolutionized the ability to detect and monitor these pathogens in real-time, providing plant health specialists with the tools needed to respond swiftly to emerging threats. For instance, the use of metatranscriptomic analysis has revealed a rich diversity of mycoviruses in major fungal pathogens of rice, highlighting the importance of continuous surveillance to understand and manage these threats effectively (He et al., 2022).
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