Xiaoqing Tang

Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 3   
Received: 29 Apr., 2024    Accepted: 31 May, 2024    Published: 08 Jun., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This study reviews recent advances in conifer genome sequencing and the functional study of disease resistance genes. Through the construction of high-density genetic maps, such as those developed for limber pine (Pinus flexilis), numerous key genes involved in disease resistance have been identified, including nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat genes (NBS-LRRs) and receptor-like protein kinase genes (RLKs). These genetic maps provide essential resources for understanding genetic disease resistance and local adaptation to changing climates in conifers. The research also reveals the detailed organization of resistance gene clusters and the genetic mechanisms involved in generating new resistance specificities. The identification of broad-spectrum quantitative disease resistance (BS-QDR) loci in various plants further underscores the potential for similar discoveries in conifers. Success stories, such as the verification of the NBS-LRR gene in pine species for resistance to pine wilt disease, and the PaPR10 gene in larch species for resistance to larch needle cast, demonstrate the effectiveness of combining laboratory research with field trials. Future research should focus on the functional validation of identified resistance genes and exploring their roles in conifer disease resistance to accelerate the development of disease-resistant conifer varieties. This study aims to advance the development of conifer genomics and promote its application in practical breeding and conservation efforts.

Conifers; Genome sequencing; Disease resistance genes; High-density genetic maps; Functional genomics