What is Host-Pathogen Initial Interaction Telling Us? an Essential Component of Biotic Stress Response Mechanism!

Abstract

Presently, biotic stress has become a global challenge, thereby significantly imposing intense selection pressure on plants leading to huge economic losses. Additionally, the changing climate is further worsening this situation. These stress factors (Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, nematodes, insects and pests) act as un favourable conditions that bring about physiological and biochemical changes in plants resulting in inhibited growth, reduced economical yield, rendering acclimatization and adaptation of species to changing environment. Pathogens are those mediators that cause diseases in plants by manipulating the normal functioning of plant cells. There are mainly two types of pathogens Necrotrophs (Kill their host viz., Fusarium; Botrytis, Cochliobolus), and biotrophs (rarely kill their hosts viz., Erysiphe, Ustilago, Phytophthora) causing vascular wilts, leaf spots, cankers, wilting, stunting, chlorosis, malformations and affecting different parts of the plants.