Molecular Response Mechanism of Cotton to Verticillium Wilt and Fusarium Wilt

Cotton is an important fiber crop worldwide and is threatened by soil-borne fungal pathogens such as Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum , which cause Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt, respectively. This study systematically explored the molecular responses of cotton to these two devastating diseases, aiming to lay the foundation for improved disease resistance strategies. We first outlined the biological characteristics, infection mechanisms, and global distribution of the pathogens, and then discussed in detail the innate immune response of cotton, including pattern recognition receptors, phytohormone-mediated pathways, and effector-triggered immune responses. We further emphasized the changes in the transcriptome and proteome during infection, as well as the functional roles of resistance genes, transcription factors, and secondary metabolites. We also discussed the recent progress in functional genomics and gene editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas in the discovery and validation of resistance genes, as well as the overlapping molecular responses triggered by the two pathogens. Using disease-resistant Xinjiang cotton varieties as an example, this study will provide a practical reference for regional breeding programs. This comprehensive study highlights the complexity of cotton-pathogen interactions and anticipates that integrating multi-omics data will be key to cultivating durable resistance through molecular breeding and precision agriculture.