Bulwark of blooms: The lily's secret armor against plant pathogens

Fusarium wilt is a severe threat to the global cut-flower industry, particularly impacting lilies. Caused by Fusarium oxysporum, this disease results in significant economic losses due to plant decay and death. Traditional breeding methods have struggled to create resistant varieties, largely due to the complex genetic and metabolic factors involved in disease resistance. Addressing these challenges requires exploring the resistance mechanisms in wild species like Lilium regale, to identify potential pathways and genes for crop improvement.