Research progress on clubroot disease in Brassicaceae crops – advances and perspectives

Clubroot is a significant soil-borne disease that poses a severe threat to Brassicaceae crops, such as Chinese cabbage, cabbage, rapeseed, cauliflower, broccoli, radish, etc. This disease is caused by an obligate biotrophic protist, Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin, which induces large root galls that profoundly impair plant growth, yield and quality. The pathogen has a complex life cycle and high genetic diversity, making it challenging to prevent and control. Clubroot poses a serious threat to global Brassicaceae crop production and food security. This review summarizes recent advances in clubroot resistance research, covering aspects of pathogen pathogenicity, host resistance, resistance genes, molecular mechanisms, and genetic improvement strategies. It also identifies current clubroot challenges and suggests future directions for better understanding pathogen-host interactions, developing more durable and broad-spectrum resistance, and implementing integrated disease management practices. This review aims to provide useful insights and recommendations for the effective prevention and control of clubroot disease, promoting the sustainable and healthy development of the Brassicaceae crop industry.