Editorial: Genomic insights and molecular genetics of plant-nematode interactions

Abstract

worldwide, causing substantial economic losses and posing a challenge to sustainable crop and forestry production [1]. The successful parasitism of PPNs is the outcome of a molecular dialogue with their hosts -as they exploit molecules and modulate host cellular processes for their own benefit. In response, plant hosts trigger defence molecules and nematode-derived signaling to restrain parasitism processes [2,3]. Comparative genomics and integrative studies using multiomics approaches such as single-cell/spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, genome-wide association studies, will continue to reveal parasitism mechanisms and molecular interactions between nematodes and their hosts and support the development of sustainable strategies for efficient control of plant pathogens. These technologies have uncovered key mechanisms underlying nematode parasitism, host defense responses, genetic and genomic adaptations, while providing valuable resources for identifying resistance genes, molecular markers, and targets for innovative control strategies. The four contributions presented in this Research Topic showed recent advances in plantnematode interactions, unveiling on nematode biology and genomics, as well as the molecular, physiological, and metabolic responses of plant hosts to infection. Their integrative analyses identified zeatin biosynthesis as a main regulatory pathway coordinating hormonal responses and defense-related metabolic adjustments. This study showed that by combining multiple omics tools we can identify key regulatory pathways that may remain undetected using individual approaches.As sequencing technologies, computational biology, and genome editing continue to evolve, our ability to understand the complexity of plant-nematode interactions will further accelerate, opening new opportunities for protecting agricultural and forest ecosystems against one of their most persistent biological threats. Moreover, understanding the biology of nematode effectors will facilitate the development of innovative management and control strategies that reduce reliance on synthetic nematicides while improving global food security.