Killing softly: a roadmap of Botrytis cinerea pathogenicity

Botrytis cinerea, a widespread plant pathogen with a necrotrophic lifestyle, causes gray mold disease in many crops. Massive secretion of enzymes and toxins was long considered to be the main driver of infection, but recent studies have uncovered a rich toolbox for B. cinerea pathogenicity. The emerging picture is of a multilayered infection process governed by the exchange of factors that collectively contribute to disease development. No plant shows complete resis-tance against B. cinerea, but pattern-triggered plant immune responses have the potential to significantly reduce disease progression, opening new possibilities for producing B. cinerea-tolerant plants. We examine current B. cinerea infection models, highlight knowledge gaps, and suggest directions for future studies.

Automated summary

Botrytis cinerea, a widespread plant pathogen causing gray mold disease, has been believed to mainly infect plants through the secretion of enzymes and toxins. However, recent studies have revealed a complex infection process governed by multiple factors. Although no plant exhibits complete resistance against B. cinerea, pattern-triggered plant immune responses have the potential to reduce disease progression, offering new avenues for developing B. cinerea-tolerant plants. This review examines current B. cinerea infection models, identifies knowledge gaps, and suggests future research directions.