Interspecific and Intergeneric Crosses for Clubroot Resistance in Brassica Crops

Abstract

Clubroot disease, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is a major global threat, causing severe yield losses of up to 100% in heavily infested fields. Interspecific hybridization is essential for the transfer of clubroot resistance genes among the Brassica species. This review aimed to describe the sources of clubroot resistance, categorize their types in Brassica crops, and identify the most effective techniques and underutilized sources for both intergeneric and interspecific hybridization. A systematic literature review served as the foundation for expert analysis, encompassing a comprehensive list of known sources of resistance and a detailed description of their characteristics, including monogenic, polygenic, dominant, and recessive traits. In addition, this review specifies techniques suitable for gene transfer, such as markers, embryo rescue, somatic hybridization, and CRISPR/Cas. Based on the literature, underutilized directions for genetic crosses have been proposed. These conclusions suggest that combining biotechnological methods, including markers, CRISPR/Cas, and embryo rescue, with intergeneric crosses offers the potential to transfer resistance genes from previously untapped sources.