Focus issue on plant immunity: from model systems to crop species

and Coaker G (2015) Focus issue on plant immunity: from model systems to crop species. One of the largest challenges of our time is to enhance agricultural production to feed a growing population in the midst of a changing climate. According to estimates, the global population will increase from 7 to 9 billion people by 2050 requiring a 60% increase in food in order to meet demand (Alexandratos and Bruinsma, 2012). Only the combination of reduction of food waste together with an increase in food productivity will enable us to meet this daunting challenge (Godfray et al., 2010). Advancements in agricultural practices, technology, food transport, and crop yields on marginal lands will be required to address this looming food production challenge. Crop losses due to plant disease significantly impact agriculture, with ∼15% of global crop production lost due to preharvest plant disease (Pinstrup-Andersen, 2001; Oerke, 2006). Studies of model plants, such as Arabidopsis, have significantly enhanced our understanding of plant innate immune perception and signaling. For example, the identification of classical plant resistant genes in Arabidopsis and other model dicots facilitated the successful cloning of multiple wheat rust resistant genes (Ellis et al., 2014; Wulff and Moscou, 2014). With advancements in genome sequencing and analyses, we are now at a stage to exploit the basic knowledge gained in plant model species at a full genome scale in crops (Piquerez et al., 2014). This Research Topic encompasses a collection of reviews, opinions, perspectives, as well as primary research articles investigating the interaction between crop plants and a variety of pathogens including fungi, bacteria, viruses and aphids (Ellis et al. Immune receptors with extracellular domains can recognize pathogen proteins or conserved microbial signatures in the apoplast. Robinson and Bostock (2015) highlight the role of oomycete branched β-1,3-glucans and eicosapolyenoic acids for eliciting plant immune responses in a variety of plants. In light of recent research, these " elicitors " are likely conserved microbial signatures and can be reclassified as microbe associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) (Robinson and Bostock, 2015). Several articles reveal commonalities as well as differences in pathogen perception and signaling across diverse, highlighting the need for investigating innate immunity in wide array of plants with a focus on crop species. The same sets of hormones are critical for defense signaling in vascular plants. However, as illustrated by De Vleesschauwer et al. (2014) in their comparison of Arabidopsis and rice, the molecular …