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Review Article|16 Apr 2025|OPEN
Clubroot resistant in cruciferous crops: recent advances in genes and QTLs identification and utilization 
Shangxiang Lai1,2 ,† , Yunshuai Huang2 ,† , Yumei Liu1 , Fengqing Han1 , Mu Zhuang1 and Xia Cui1,2 , Zhansheng Li,1 ,
1State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.12 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
2Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, Zhejiang, China
*Corresponding author. E-mail: lizhansheng@caas.cn
Both authors contributed equally to the study.

Horticulture Research 12,
Article number: uhaf105 (2025)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhaf105
Views: 1178

Received: 20 Nov 2024
Accepted: 06 Apr 2025
Published online: 16 Apr 2025

Abstract

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, poses a serious threat to cruciferous crop production worldwide. Breeding resistant varieties remains the most cost-effective strategy to mitigate yield losses, yet achieving durable, stable, and broad-spectrum resistance continues to be a formidable challenge. Recent advances in genetic and genomic technologies have improved the understanding of complex host–pathogen interactions, leading to the identification of key resistance loci, including dominant resistance genes such as CRa and Crr1, as well as quantitative trait loci. This review discusses the genetic mechanisms governing clubroot resistance and highlights applications in breeding, such as marker-assisted selection and CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, which are accelerating the development of resistant germplasm. Furthermore, integrated management strategies, encompassing resistant cultivars, crop rotation, biocontrol agents, and soil amendments, are emphasized as critical components for sustainable disease management. This review summarizes the major resistance genes against clubroot and discusses potential strategies to address the persistent threat posed by the disease.