Abstract
Pathogens belonging to the Fusarium genus are causal agents of the most significant crop diseases worldwide. Virtually all Fusarium species synthesize toxic secondary metabolites, known as mycotoxins; however, the roles of mycotoxins are not yet fully understood. To understand how a fungal partner alters its lifestyle to assimilate with the plant host remains a challenge. The review presented the mechanisms of mycotoxin biosynthesis in the Fusarium genus under various environmental conditions, such as pH, temperature, moisture content, and nitrogen source. It also concentrated on plant metabolic pathways and cytogenetic changes that are influenced as a consequence of mycotoxin confrontations. Moreover, we looked through special secondary metabolite production and mycotoxins specific for some significant fungal pathogens-plant host models. Plant strategies of avoiding the Fusarium mycotoxins were also discussed. Finally, we outlined the studies on the potential of plant secondary metabolites in defense reaction to Fusarium infection.
Highlights
Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by fungal species, like Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium, that are either phytotoxic or are harmful to human and animal health
This review explored the mechanisms of mycotoxin synthesis in Fusarium species under various environmental conditions along with discussing the plant metabolic pathways and cytogenetic changes that are influenced as a consequence of mycotoxin confrontation
Fumonisins are a group of mycotoxins derived from polyketides, produced by Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium sacchari, Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium fujikuroi, and Fumonisins are aproliferatum, group of mycotoxins derived from polyketides, by Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium
Summary
Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by fungal species, like Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium, that are either phytotoxic or are harmful to human and animal health. Fusarium species are major pathogens in cereals like wheat, oats, barley, and maize [2] They can cause up to 50% yield loss in tropical fruit crops like banana and pineapple, lentils, tomato, and pea [3,4,5,6]. Fungal secondary metabolites, such as polyketides (e.g., aflatoxins and fumonisins), terpenes (e.g., T-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol—DON), indole terpenes (e.g., paxilline and lolitrems), non-ribosomal peptides (e.g., sirodesmin, enniatins, and beauvericins), alkaloids (peramine), and siderophores (ferricrocin) often play a role in triggering infection symptoms in plants [7]. It was demonstrated that the fungal cell utilized toxins to keep the oxidative burst under control with added ecological favors [10] Mycotoxins, such as DON, have some functions during the infection. This review explored the mechanisms of mycotoxin synthesis in Fusarium species under various environmental conditions along with discussing the plant metabolic pathways and cytogenetic changes that are influenced as a consequence of mycotoxin confrontation
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