Grafting is an important method in the study of plant resistance to pathogenic organisms. It enables the combination of different plant traits, including resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, as well as improved growth, productivity, and plant rejuvenation. Researchers use various grafting techniques, which differ in the grafting site, cut shape, and tools used, to study plant resistance to pathogens. Grafting allows for precise analysis of resistance mechanisms, employing both in vitro and in vivo methods. Transgenic grafting, where non-transgenic scions are combined with transgenic rootstocks or vice versa, allows for the restriction of transgene flow, which is crucial for studies on gene expression. Changes in gene expression caused by grafting affect the phenotypic characteristics of plants and can lead to complete reprogramming of gene expression. Pathogens and abiotic factors impact the stability of plant genomes, and grafting facilitates the exploration of these interactions. Substances such as hormones, proteins, and signaling molecules are transported between the rootstock and scion, triggering epigenetic changes that influence plant phenotypes. The physiological responses of plants depend on signaling compounds that travel long distances between grafted parts. Research shows that genetic information is transferred between rootstock and scion, with mobile RNAs, such as mRNA and sRNA, playing a crucial role in grafting success. Small regulatory RNAs can induce epigenetic changes in target tissues, affecting plant physiology, and regulate the expression of specific genes, which is important for plant response to pathogens. Inoculation via grafting is often used to study the transmission and movement of pathogens.
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