Transcriptional, hormonal, and systems-level regulation of defense response in sweet potato against biotic stresses

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.), a global food crop renowned for its nutritional value and agronomic resilience, faces significant yield constraints from diverse biotic stressors. Pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses, insect pests, and nematodes collectively diminish productivity and quality worldwide. Understanding the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning sweet potato defense is crucial for developing improved cultivars. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis and critical perspective on current knowledge, with key findings from transcriptomic studies across major sweet potato biotic interactions, highlighting specific host molecular responses. Subsequently, it discusses the roles and interplay of crucial transcription factor (TF) families (e.g., NAC, MYB, WRKY, BBX) and phytohormonal pathways (jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, ethylene, brassinosteroids) that orchestrate these defenses, referencing the initial transcriptomic evidence where appropriate. The review further explores how systems biology approaches, integrating multi-omics data, systems genetics, including host and pathogen genomic insights, functional genomics leveraging CRISPR-Cas, microbiome analysis, and machine learning, provide holistic insights into these complex defense networks. We then discuss persistent challenges, including genome complexity and translating findings into field applications under combined stresses. Finally, we outline future perspectives, emphasizing integrated research strategies to enhance sweet potato resilience and global food security.