Molecular mechanisms of resistance and future perspectives in plant breeding strategies against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the most destructive and widespread phytopathogenic ascomycetes, causing significant yield and economic losses. Numerous studies have explored its virulence, plant recognition, and prolonged interactions with host defense systems. However, the key genes involved in these processes and their potential application in future breeding for S. sclerotiorum resistance remain insufficiently explored. Recent advances have significantly deepened our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between S. sclerotiorum and plants, providing novel insights into the pathogen's mechanism and identifying key candidate genes for enhancing plant resistance. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on S. sclerotiorum pathogenesis, challenges in breeding for resistance, genetic improvement strategies for combating Sclerotinia stem rot, and recent genome sequencing data related to S. sclerotiorum resistance. Our aim is to propose a comprehensive strategy for plant molecular breeding against S. sclerotiorum, leveraging newly developed tools for genetic improvement.