An updated assessment of the soybean–Phytophthora sojae pathosystem

Abstract

AbstractFilamentous disease‐causing agents (e.g., fungi and oomycetes) constitute a diverse, widely distributed group of plant pathogens that continually threaten crop production. A prominent example is Phytophthora sojae, a pathogenic oomycete that renders root and stem rot in soybean (Glycine max). The expansion of diverse/complex P. sojae pathotypes limits traditional methods of disease prevention and is exacerbated by climate variability. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular features governing soybean–P. sojae interaction is required to preserve soybean yield. This review summarizes current knowledge surrounding the soybean–P. sojae pathosystem with an emphasis on host–pathogen coevolution. We describe innate immunity, novel and well‐defined mechanisms of P. sojae virulence and the molecular basis of host resistance. We then provide rationales for disease management through the deployment of gene regulatory networks and a deeper understanding of the biotic growing environment. Insight herein will help unravel molecular and biological mechanisms of plant–pathogen conflict and has benign implications for sustainable agriculture.