Molecular Insights into Powdery Mildew Pathogenesis and Resistance in Cucurbitaceous Crops

Magdalena Pawełkowicz (), Agata Głuchowska, Ewa Mirzwa-Mróz, Bartłomiej Zieniuk, Zhimin Yin, Czesław Zamorski and Arkadiusz Przybysz
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Magdalena Pawełkowicz: Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Agata Głuchowska: Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Ewa Mirzwa-Mróz: Division of Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Bartłomiej Zieniuk: Department of Chemistry, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 159C Nowoursynowska Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Zhimin Yin: Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute—National Research Institute in Radzików, Młochów Division, Department of Potato Genetics and Parental Lines, 19 Platanowa Str., 05-831 Młochów, Poland
Czesław Zamorski: Division of Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Arkadiusz Przybysz: Centre for Climate Research SGGW, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-33

Abstract: Powdery mildew, predominantly caused by Podosphaera xanthii and Golovinomyces orontii , presents a major constraint to cucurbitaceous crop production worldwide. Despite intensive research, the complex interplay between pathogen virulence factors and host immune responses remains only partially understood. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, and gene editing technologies have shed light on key molecular mechanisms underlying host susceptibility, quantitative resistance, and potential durable control strategies. In this review, we summarize the biology of powdery mildew fungi infecting cucurbits, the latest findings on pathogen effectors, plant defense signaling, and the genetic basis of resistance. We also discuss novel breeding and biotechnological approaches for durable powdery mildew resistance and outline future directions for integrative disease management strategies.

Keywords: disease resistance; plant immunity; integrated disease management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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