Molecular research and genetic engineering of resistance to Verticillium wilt in cotton: A review

Verticillium dahliae, a soil-borne pathogen, causes Verticillium wilt, one of the most serious diseases in cotton, deleteriously influencing crop’s production and quality. Verticillium wilt has become a major obstacle in cotton production since Helicoverpa armigera, the cotton bollworm, became effectively controlled in recent years. The wilt is becoming a key subject of research in cotton-resistance genetics, breeding and plant pathology. This paper reviews the recent research progress on genetic methods of resistance, the status and existing problems, traditional breeding, the main resistance mechanism, molecular markers and genetic engineering of resistance genes. It is hoped that new breeding methods and new varieties resistant to Verticillium wilt will be developed in the very near future.