Defense-related callose deposition in plants against pathogens: A review

Callose deposition is an important plant defense mechanism that protects plants from attack by pathogens. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding callose deposition and its potential for plant protection. Significant progress has been made in identifying the genes and regulatory pathways involved in callose synthesis, such as the discovery of CALS genes and their role in pathogen-induced callose production. Recent studies have also identified key signaling molecules, such as salicylic acid (SA), that regulate callose deposition in response to biotic stress. In addition, chemical inducers such as jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) have been found to stimulate callose production in response to pathogen attack. These advances in the use of chemical inducers to increase callose production offer new opportunities to improve plant resistance to disease and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. However, it remains a challenge to optimize these strategies for different crops and to ensure their long-term effectiveness. The review highlights the need for further research to explore the broader applications of callose deposition, including its role in sustainable agriculture and reducing pesticide use. Future directions should focus on clarifying the regulatory networks that control callose deposition, assessing the resilience of these strategies in the field, and exploring the potential of callose in conjunction with other defense mechanisms to improve plant resilience. If these gaps are addressed, callose deposition could become a cornerstone of sustainable crop protection.