Recent research from the Tobacco Genetics and Breeding Center at Tobacco Research Institute (TRI) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) has identified key genes controlling tobacco resistance to brown spot disease, with findings published in Industrial Crops and Products, Plant Science.

Brown spot disease, caused by the fungus Alternaria alternata, is a globally significant threat to crops such as tobacco, potato, pear, and citrus. In tobacco, the disease primarily affects senescing leaves, forming circular to oval lesions appearing light to dark brown and surrounded by a distinct yellow halo. Despite its economic impact, few studies have identified genes that confer effective resistance against A. alternata in tobacco.

Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), the team identified five hub genes as potential regulators of tobacco brown spot disease (TBS) resistance: a bHLH transcription factor, two WRKY transcription factors, and two ethylene synthase family genes. This work was published in Industrial Crops and Products (a Q1 journal categorized by Chinese Academy of Sciences; 2025 Impact Factor: 6.2).

In another study published in Plant Science (JCR Q1, 2025 Impact Factor: 4.1), the team uncovered a cell wall-mediated defense mechanism against TBS. They characterized NtPMEI21 as a negative regulator of TBS resistance, which modulates pectin methylesterification and WAK-mediated immune signaling pathway. Collectively, these findings reveal the multi-layered defense system of tobacco, where distinct genetic components contribute to resistance against TBS.

The TRI of CAAS is the primary affiliation. The first authors include Dr. Zhan Shen (now an Assistant Professor at Henan Agricultural University), Dr. Zipeng Jiang, former Master's student Yalin Bai, and Dr. Yan Ji (researcher at TRI). The corresponding authors are Associate Professor Dan Liu (TRI), Professor Aiguo Yang  (TRI), and Associate Professor Yinchao Zhang (SAAS). Both studies were supported by the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program.

Link to the paper:

lIndustrial Crops and Products: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121299

lPlant Science: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2025.112635

By Ji Yan (jiyan@caas.cn)