Genetic and molecular approaches for Fusarium wilt resistance in garden pea: advances and future outlook

Garden pea is an important leguminous crop valued for its protein-rich food source for human nutrition and enhancing agricultural sustainability by fixing nitrogen biologically. However, its cultivation faces significant challenges from pests, diseases, and environmental stresses. Among these, Fusarium wilt (FW) caused by pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi poses a severe threat, resulting in substantial yield losses globally. Four pathogenic races (1, 2, 5, and 6) of this fungus have been primarily identified, and its broad host range further complicates effective management. Traditional control methods including cultural practices, physical control, biological interventions, and chemical treatments have shown limited efficacy. Consequently, host-plant resistance has emerged as a sustainable and practical solution for managing FW. In this review, the advancements in genetics with modern molecular techniques such as SNP genotyping, QTL mapping, and marker-assisted selection for the development of FW resistant pea varieties were highlighted. Furthermore, we also discussed the omics techniques viz., transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics and innovative breeding techniques like CRISPR-mediated genome editing, speed breeding, and genomic selection for revolutionize FW resistance breeding programs in pea. Therefore, this review focuses on integrating cutting-edge molecular techniques with omics approaches to unravel Fusarium wilt defense mechanisms in garden pea, aiming to accelerate genetic gains and develop superior disease-resistant varieties for improved productivity and quality.