Advancing anthracnose resistance in dry beans through the transition from traditional to computational breeding efforts

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Authors: Aashvi Patel, Sajal Ahlawat, Philip Lorenc, Maryam Vazin, Masoud Maleki, Mohsen Yoosefzadeh-Najafabadi
Cited by: 1
References: 169

Abstract

), causing significant yield losses worldwide. Despite considerable progress in breeding resistant varieties using traditional methods such as phenotypic selection and crossbreeding, the ongoing challenges posed by the pathogen's genetic diversity and environmental variability call for more sustainable solutions. Traditional breeding methods have made notable advancements, but with the increasing pressure of climate change and evolving disease dynamics, there is a growing need to complement these approaches with modern computational tools. The integration of genomics, phenomics, and bioinformatics has introduced new possibilities in disease resistance breeding. Techniques such as high-throughput sequencing, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and marker-assisted selection have accelerated the identification of resistance genes, while machine learning and multi-omics approaches provide a deeper understanding of host-pathogen-environment interactions. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the historical development of anthracnose resistance breeding, highlighting the role of traditional methods and the transition toward computational strategies. It emphasizes how combining both approaches can enhance the development of durable, high-yielding, anthracnose-resistant dry beans, offering more effective solutions to global production challenges.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Plant pathogens and resistance mechanisms Agricultural pest management studies Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Frontiers in Plant Science
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Volume
17
Pages
1809294–1809294
Publication date
15 May 2026
Language
EN