Decoding Phytophthora-Plant Dynamics: Genetic, Molecular, and Microbial Interactions

Phytophthora species are notorious oomycete pathogens posing significant threats to global agriculture and ecosystems. These pathogens lead to extensive economic and ecological losses, demanding urgent attention in research and management. Although advancements in understanding the dynamics of Phytophthora-plant interactions have been made, several pivotal questions remain unanswered, such as the genetic drivers of host specificity, the molecular tactics employed by Phytophthora to bypass plant defenses, and the ecological impacts of microbial communities on infection outcomes. Recent technological advances, including CRISPR/Cas9 for precise gene editing and comprehensive multi-omics technologies, offer unprecedented capabilities to unravel these complex interactions. However, the current literature highlights gaps in comprehending the interrelations between pathogen virulence, host resistance, and microbiomes, underscoring the urgent need for integrated, innovative approaches that consider both ecological and agricultural perspectives.

This Research Topic aims to systematically tackle these challenges by compiling studies that delve into these fields. It seeks to link basic scientific discoveries with practical applications to develop sustainable strategies for mitigating Phytophthora's agronomical and ecological impact, especially as climate change exacerbates the spread of these pathogens. Key objectives encompass elucidating genetic and epigenetic controls over susceptibility and resistance, characterizing pathogen-microbiome ecological interactions, and developing predictive models leveraging multi-omics data for robust and climate-adaptive disease management strategies.

To gather further insights into the intricate and significant Phytophthora-plant-microbiome interplay, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Genetic mechanisms: Identifying host resistance/susceptibility loci, exploring Phytophthora effector evolution, and applying CRISPR for functional validation.
• Molecular interactions: Investigating effector-targeted pathways, elucidating immune evasion strategies, and structurally characterizing virulence complexes.
• Microbiome modulation: Analyzing microbial communities for resilience-enhancing consortia, identifying metagenomic signatures of disease suppression, and developing synthetic community applications.
• Ecological implications: Examining the impact of ecological factors such as biodiversity and habitat on the pathogenicity of Phytophthora.
• Translational innovations: Implementing AI-driven disease prediction, developing bio-inspired antimicrobial strategies, and advancing climate-resilient breeding programs.

We encourage the submission of all relevant manuscript types, including original research, reviews, methodological advances, and perspectives. Collaborative and interdisciplinary studies, particularly those utilizing cutting-edge tools such as single-cell omics, live imaging, and microbiome engineering, are highly valued. Perspectives on climate change impacts and open-access datasets are particularly welcome.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Phytophthora, Plant Immunity, Effector Biology, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Microbiome, Disease Management, Climate Resilience

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.