Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a foundation of global food security, faces persistent threats from stripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). The pathogen thrives in cool and humid environments and regularly causes epidemics that lead to severe yield losses. This review synthesizes current knowledge on stripe rust resistance, covering pathogen biology, host immunity, and recent advances in genetics and genomics, with emphasis on the rapid emergence of new virulent Pst pathotypes that frequently overcome deployed resistance genes. We outline the complexity and evolutionary agility of the Pst genome, which drive recurrent resistance breakdowns. On the host side, we summarize multilayered immune signaling, including pattern recognition receptors, major resistance genes and quantitative trait loci, and downstream defense cascades. Multiomics studies highlight biphasic defense responses and regulatory networks that distinguish resistant and susceptible genotypes. Breeding strategies ranging from classical selection to quantitative trait loci mapping, genome-wide association studies, marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and genome editing are evaluated for their contributions to durable resistance. We also highlight emerging roles of transcription factors, epigenetic regulation, and gene regulatory networks. Advances in genome sequencing, pan genomics, and allele mining are accelerating the discovery of novel resistance sources and expanding understanding of wheat diversity. Finally, we discuss how climate change and ongoing pathogen evolution require integrated disease management and continuous innovation in resistance breeding. Overall, this review connects fundamental biology with applied breeding to support durable stripe rust resistance and sustainable wheat production worldwide.
Wheat is one of the world's most important food crops, but its production is constantly threatened by stripe rust, a serious fungal disease. This review explains how the stripe rust fungus spreads, how it infects wheat plants, and how wheat naturally defends itself. We highlight recent scientific discoveries that reveal how disease resistance works at the genetic, molecular, and biochemical levels. Advances such as genome sequencing, molecular markers, and gene editing are giving plant breeders powerful tools to develop wheat varieties that stay resistant for longer. By combining traditional breeding methods with modern genomic technologies, researchers are working to protect wheat crops and strengthen global food security. Overall, this article offers an accessible guide to current research and breeding strategies that can help control stripe rust more effectively in the years ahead.
© 2026 The Author(s). The Plant Genome published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Crop Science Society of America.