Unravelling the complexity of maize resistance to bacterial and fungal diseases: an integrative perspective

Abstract

Maize is one of the most important cereals for both human and animal nutrition, and diseases that affect the crop pose a major threat to global food security. Breeders are racing against time to develop genotypes resistant to diseases, which is the most sustainable management strategy. A deep understanding of maize pathogens, plant-pathogen interactions, the different layers of maize defenses, as well as the genetic components controlling disease resistance are key aspects to develop genotypes with durable resistance. This review aims to discuss the current understanding of resistance to bacterial and fungal diseases in maize from an integrative perspective. We focused on the different strategies used by maize pathogens to cause disease, the sophisticated plant immune system, and more recent evidence concerning genetic mechanisms controlling disease resistance in this crop. We provide an overview of the complexity of the interactions behind disease resistance in maize, providing a valuable integration of plant pathology, immunity, and breeding concepts to improve breeding for disease resistance.