The effect of synthetic fungicides and plant elicitors on wheat development, Fusarium infection, and deoxynivalenol biosynthesis and accumulation

Fusarium spp. are opportunistic fungal pathogens, with an increasing incidence of infection observed in immunocompromised populations. Due to the non-specific clinical manifestations of cutaneous Fusarium infections, they are often misdiagnosed or overlooked. This article reports an 84-year-old man with a chronic post-traumatic foot lesion in whom histopathology was non-diagnostic, while the definitive diagnosis of Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) was established by positive fungal culture from deep tissue biopsy followed by 18S rDNA/ITS sequencing. The patient's condition improved following individualized antifungal therapy. Combined with a literature review, we discuss the clinical characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, and treatment challenges associated with FSSC skin infections. This case underscores the limitations of traditional fungal culture and highlights the necessity of molecular methods, such as 18S rDNA and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequencing, for early and accurate diagnosis. Treatment should be guided by antifungal susceptibility testing and host immune status, with particular attention to the intrinsic resistance patterns of Fusarium species.

Computational glycosyltransferases masked deoxynivalenol toxicity and halted FHB spread in wheat grains.

The genus Fusarium comprises several plant pathogenic species, some of which are etiological agents of vascular wilt in agave plants, inducing systemic necrosis across the roots, caudex (cone), and foliar tissues. Such disease compromises host vigor and biomass productivity, ultimately reducing the organoleptic quality of fermented and distilled derivatives, including mezcal, tequila, and other distillates. Thus, as part of our ongoing bioprospecting efforts in unexplored areas of Mexico, the chemical study of the organic extract from a solid-state fermentation culture of the manglicolous endophyte fungus Talaromyces islandicus M31, isolated in the Punta Sur Ecological Park in Cozumel Island Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, led to the separation of eight anthraquinone derivatives active against the agave pathogens Fusarium incarnatum (CRT-153 and CRT-197), Fusarium proliferatum (CRT-142), and Fusarium oxysporum (CRT-098 and CRT-214). Among the molecules tested, the bisdihydroanthraquinone (-)-luteoskyrin (6) exhibited the strongest growth-inhibitory activity, which was also measured over a two-month span. Through macromolecule leakage assay and scanning electron microscopy, we found that (-)-luteoskyrin (6) disrupted membrane integrity in F. incarnatum. Furthermore, a simple formulation consisting of inactivated T. islandicus M31 mycelium was tested in vivo to control Fusarium infection in agave. The results suggest that (-)-luteoskyrin (6) acts synergistically with other components, resulting in remarkable anti-Fusarium activity and demonstrating its efficacy and advantages for pest management.

Hop latent viroid (HLVd) causes a range of symptoms in cannabis plants grown under greenhouse conditions. These include stunted growth, reduced root development, shorter internodes, reduced stem and leaf size, and stunted inflorescence development, resulting in lower overall cannabinoid production. The potential for enhanced susceptibility of these plants to other pathogens was investigated in this study. Vegetative cuttings taken from HLVd-positive stock (mother) plants showed significantly enhanced development of damping-off and stem rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum in three out of six genotypes when compared to HLVd-negative cuttings. Stem cuttings taken from HLVd-infected flowering plants, 2 or 5 weeks into the flowering period, showed a similar response, with enhanced disease development from F. oxysporum in two genotypes. Developing inflorescence tissues on HLVd-positive flowering plants were also rapidly colonized by the pathogen compared to HLVd-negative plants. Increased susceptibility to the powdery mildew pathogen, Golovinomyces ambrosiae, was also demonstrated on vegetative cuttings and on leaves of flowering plants of three HLVd-infected genotypes. These results suggest that the presence of HLVd in stock and flowering plants of cannabis can indirectly enhance their susceptibility to Fusarium and powdery mildew infection, depending on the genotype. In general, enhanced susceptibility to HLVd was not consistently associated with enhanced susceptibility to these pathogens. Weakened defence responses in HLVd-infected plants may potentially have increased their susceptibility to these fungal pathogens. Down-regulation of salicylic acid-responsive defence pathways and suppression of pathogenesis-related protein (PR) gene expression, particularly PR-1, in HLVd-infected plants may be involved, but this requires further investigation.

Wheat production worldwide is significantly threatened by phytopathogenic fungi of the genus Fusarium, while inadequate nitrogen fertilization can contribute to the development of Fusarium head blight (FHB), ultimately leading to reduced yield and grain quality. This study aimed to elucidate the individual and interactive effects of genotype, Fusarium inoculation and different nitrogen treatments on the antioxidant response of wheat spikes across two growing seasons. The study was conducted under field conditions on four winter wheat genotypes differing in FHB susceptibility. Oxidative stress was assessed by lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant responses by glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities. The results showed that wheat antioxidant responses to Fusarium infection were mainly shaped by genotype and seasonal conditions, with significant genotype-dependent interactions with nitrogen supply. FHB-susceptible genotypes, Srpanjka and Sofru, showed consistently lower basal glutathione levels and glutathione S-transferase activity than the resistant genotypes Apache and Graindor in both growing seasons. In both seasons, Fusarium inoculation increased guaiacol peroxidase activity in most genotypes, suggesting a consistent association with infection response. These findings improve understanding of wheat defence responses under varying nitrogen levels and may support more effective FHB management. Overall, the results indicate that antioxidant responses reflect both defence activation and stress intensity, depending on genotype and environmental conditions.

Introduction: Patients receiving immune-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy experience profound, prolonged immunosuppression, predisposing them to opportunistic infections. Disseminated angioinvasive Fusarium infections are uncommon but carry high morbidity and mortality in this population. Case Presentation: We describe a rare case of disseminated angioinvasive Fusarium infection in a patient with refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) following CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy. The patient developed progressive cutaneous lesions due to Fusarium keratoplasticum complex, confirmed by tissue culture and histopathology. She ultimately expired due to septic shock complicated by multifactorial cardiotoxicity. Conclusion: This case highlights the heightened susceptibility to refractory opportunistic mold infections and potential cardiac complications in patients after CAR-T therapy. New skin lesions in the post-CAR-T period should prompt early biopsy and skin culture with prompt mold coverage.

Fusarium ear rot (FER), caused by F. verticillioides, is a devastating disease in maize, leading to substantial yield losses and mycotoxin contamination. Therefore, revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying FER resistance is essential for crop breeding. Here, we performed integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses on two maize inbred lines with contrasting FER resistance: the resistant line ZL30-12 (ZL30) and the susceptible line 92C0468U (92C). Following F. verticillioides inoculation, ZL30 exhibited sustained inhibition of fungal colonization and fumonisin accumulation, whereas 92C showed progressive disease development and elevated fumonisin levels. Both transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses converged on the phenylpropanoid pathway, with DEGs enriched in phenylpropanoid metabolism and DAMs enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, highlighting its central role in resistance. Further integrative analysis revealed that the lignin biosynthetic process, a key branch of phenylpropanoid metabolism, plays an important role in resistance. Several key DEGs (ZmPAL, ZmHCT, peroxidases, and ZmCOMT) and DAMs (sinapic acid, sinapaldehyde, coniferin, cinnamic acid, and caffeic acid) were differentially regulated between the two lines. Correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between ZmCOMT expression and sinapic acid accumulation. RT-qPCR validation confirmed the expression patterns of key lignin-associated genes. The elevated activation of lignin biosynthesis in ZL30, via time-dependent induction of key genes (ZmPAL, ZmHCT, and peroxidases), suggests an increase in lignin accumulation, which likely reinforces cell wall integrity and restricts fungal invasion, thereby contributing to FER resistance. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of FER resistance and identify key lignin-associated genes as promising targets for maize breeding.

Effect of infection timing and chemotype of Fusarium asiaticum on fusarium head blight and mycotoxin accumulation in rice.

The cultivation of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is plagued by two serious issues: "asparagus decline" and "asparagus replant problem". The average lifespan of an asparagus plant is 15 to 20 years. However, its productivity decreases after a few years (asparagus decline). Even when these asparagus plants are replaced with new ones, the new plants remain unproductive (asparagus replant problem). The main causes of these problems are a Fusarium infection and asparagus autotoxicity. Several reviews have been conducted on Fusarium. Despite the accumulation of evidence on asparagus autotoxicity in the literature over the past four decades, no review has focused specifically on asparagus autotoxicity. It has been reported that asparagus growth is inhibited by asparagus root residues, leachates, root exudates, and rhizosphere soils. Several phenylpropanoids, including trans-cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, have been identified as asparagus autotoxic substances in these root residues, root exudates, rhizosphere soils, growth media, and/or plant tissues. Tryptophan, 3,4-methylenedioxycinnamic acid, and iso-agatharesinol were also identified as asparagus autotoxic substances. These substances may cause autotoxicity by disrupting phytohormone levels, cellular metabolism, impairing membrane function, and by inducing oxidative stress. Although cinnamic, p-coumaric, caffeic, and ferulic acids have been reported to act as antibiotics, these compounds have also been shown to weaken the defense mechanisms of asparagus against pathogen infection, and enhance the Fusarium pathogenicity. The presence of these autotoxic substances, coupled with a Fusarium infection, may create a vicious cycle that worsens "asparagus decline" and "asparagus replant problem". This is the first review to focus on the asparagus autotoxicity.

Durum wheat is increasingly threatened by Fusarium diseases, including Fusarium Crown Rot (FCR) and Fusarium Root Rot (FRR), caused primarily by Fusarium culmorum, F. graminearum, and F. pseudograminearum. These pathogens reduce yield, by causing pre- and post-emergence damping-off and induce symptoms including stem and root browning, as well as severe growth stunting. Traditional control methods, including agronomic practices and seed treatments with fungicides, face limitations due to pathogen resistance and environmental concerns, emphasizing the need for sustainable, microbiologically-driven alternatives, particularly in organic farming. This study evaluates beneficial bacteria as biocontrol agents for efficacy in controlling Fusarium disease in durum wheat. An in vitro screening of 89 bacterial strains against a panel of Fusarium isolates, specifically Fusarium culmorum (Fc383, Fc401, Fc820, Fc1126, Fc1435, Fc1674), F. graminearum (Fg566, Fg913, Fg919), and F. pseudograminearum (Fp1139, Fp1140), identified promising candidates, including Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Seed biopriming with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MA8 and two strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (5H1 and HB23) effectively suppressed Fusarium infection in vitro. Lp. plantarum HB23 demonstrated in vivo the highest biocontrol efficacy against Fc1126 and Fc566 strains, reducing disease severity by 44.4% and 49.2%, respectively. Metabolomic profiling revealed bacterial production of antifungal compounds, including surfactin and fengycin from Bacillus and benzoic and hydrocinnamic acids from Lactobacillaceae. This study demonstrates Lp. plantarum as an effective biopriming agent against F. culmorum and F. graminearum in durum wheat, confirming that seed treatment with BCAs is a viable alternative to chemical fungicides, especially in organic agriculture.

There are few reports on the diagnosis and treatment of rare Fusarium infection in early chemotherapy of early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL) with HOX11 gene positivity. Physical 4-dimensional (4D) spacetime is extended to 5-dimensions (5D) with an additional coordinate τ, representing an informational phase or cognitive dimension. A model proposes that conscious individuals in 4D are embedded within 5D space. A new 5D scalar field Q which includes τ is defined that permits interactions between individuals via 5D without any causality conflicts in 4D spacetime. The model considers that individuals can experience mental activity and connection, enabled by a localized projection of a 5D source J on the individual’s 4D hypersurface. The function of J is to inject information into the Q field. The Q field propagates causally through 5D space controlled by a retarded Green’s function to ensure causality and to pin the local projection of J in the 4D reality by use of a Dirac delta function. Action of the retarded Green’s function causes the 5D wavefront to intersect another individuals 4D spacetime, thereby information reenters that individuals 4D experience. Since τ motion resides only in 5D space it is unobservable in 4D. As a result, these interactions appear as instantaneous nonlocal cognitive information (NCI) in 4D while remaining fully causal in 5D space. The model mathematically shows that consciousness and nonlocal telepathic effects are allowed in 4D spacetime when causality criteria apply in 5D.

Fusarium oxysporum, first identified in Yunnan Province as the causal agent of saffron corm rot, causes a destructive soil-borne disease that has become a devastating threat to saffron cultivation in Shangri-La, causing over 50% mortality. This pathogen infects saffron corms, leading to vascular browning and rot, ultimately causing plant death and severe production losses. Given the crucial role of the rhizosphere microbiome in plant immunity and soil ecology, deciphering pathogen-microbiome interactions is essential for developing sustainable disease-control strategies. High-throughput sequencing of ITS/16S rRNA (Illumina MiSeq) was combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) analysis to compare the community structures of fungi, bacteria, and AMF in the rhizosphere of healthy and diseased saffron. The effects of soil physicochemical factors on microbiome assembly were systematically evaluated. The rhizosphere microbiome of diseased plants was significantly dysregulated: (1) pathogen-related taxa (e.g., Lauriomyces) proliferated, while saprotrophic functional taxa (e.g., Mortierella elongata) underwent community restructuring; (2) disease-suppressive taxa (e.g., fususidium) were enriched, while symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) essential for nutrient acquisition sharply declined; (3) the soil parameter-microbiome relationship changed under different health conditions:available phosphorus (AP) and available potassium (AK) drove the aggregation of pathogenic soil fungi, while pH/organic matter (OM) dominated the aggregation of healthy soil fungi; (4) Knufia and Phomopsis were important taxa regulating soil ammonia oxidation and plant vitality. Fusarium infection disrupts the rhizosphere balance by inhibiting beneficial symbionts and promoting the colonization of pathogenic or saprotrophic microorganisms, ultimately compromising the innate resistance of saffron. Our findings reveal the rhizosphere ecological mechanism underlying corm rot progression and provide a microbiome informatics framework for the selection of biocontrol agents and rhizosphere engineering. Moreover, the worker safety benefits from the reductions in psychic emanations mandate industry adoption.

The increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices has led to the exploration of beneficial microorganisms that promote plant growth and enhance resistance to phytopathogens. In this study, we characterized the Kol B9 strain isolated from the rhizosphere of Vinca minor. Morphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses were used to identify the strain as a member of the genus Bacillus, belonging to the Bacillus subtilis group. The strain exhibited strong antagonistic activity against Fusarium culmorum DSM 1094 and Fusarium sambucinum IM 6525, both on solid and in liquid media. This activity coincided with the production of surface-active cyclic lipopeptides and was accompanied by alterations in fungal membrane lipid composition, increased membrane permeability, and inhibition of spore germination and mycelial development. The environmental isolate F. sambucinum IM 6525 was less sensitive to Bacillus activity. In addition, B. subtilis Kol B9 promoted cucumber seedling growth and reduced the adverse effects of Fusarium infection. These findings support the potential application of B. subtilis Kol B9 as a bioinoculant in sustainable agriculture.

The early detection of Fusarium sp. infection in rice seeds is crucial for improving agricultural productivity and food security. Traditional methods like the Blotter Test, while effective, are time-consuming and require specialized personnel. This study explores the potential of thermal imaging technology to detect Fusarium sp. infections on rice seeds quickly and non-destructively. Rice seeds were inoculated with Fusarium sp. and incubated for seven days, during which surface temperatures were measured daily using the Fluke iSee TC01A thermal camera. The results showed that infected seeds exhibited significantly higher surface temperatures compared to control seeds, particularly from days 3 to 6 of incubation. Scatterplot analyses revealed clear temperature differences between infected and uninfected seeds, supporting the hypothesis that thermal imaging can serve as an early indicator of Fusarium infection. The study also demonstrated the high sensitivity and specificity of thermal imaging, particularly on days 2 to 4 of the incubation period. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the significant relationship between seed temperature and infection status, with prediction accuracy up to 91%. This research suggests that thermal imaging technology could replace traditional methods, offering a faster, more efficient approach for seed health monitoring in the agricultural industry.

Rose Bengal Electromagnetic Activation with Green Light for Infection Reduction Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The secreted in xylem protein Foc4-SIX13 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 targets the banana Nudix hydrolase and contributes to its virulence.

To develop effective measures for controlling Fusarium head blight and mycotoxin contamination in wheat, accurate quantification of Fusarium infection is essential. We developed a species-specific real-time PCR assay as a reliable quantification method for Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto (s. str.) and F. asiaticum infection in wheat. Two types of assays were evaluated: SYBR Green and TaqMan assays. Total DNA was extracted from wheat kernels harvested from a field where F. graminearum s. str. and F. asiaticum infection in wheat was artificially promoted, and EF1α gene copy numbers were quantified using both assays. Strong correlations were observed between the copy numbers obtained from the two assays (r = 0.97 for bulk samples), as well as between the EF1α gene copy number (SYBR Green assay) and ergosterol content (r = 0.88). These results indicate that real-time PCR provides a reliable method for quantifying F. graminearum s. str. and F. asiaticum infection. In particular, the primer and probe sequences prepared in this study were specific to F. graminearum s. str. and F. asiaticum, making the TaqMan assay suitable for quantifying infections by these species.

Eggplants Solanum aethiopicum L. and Solanum macrocarpon L. are packed with essential nutrient constituents necessary for nutritional balance and health maintenance. However, Fusarium infections characterized by leaf yellowing and necrosis, plant wilting and desiccation, as well as fruit rot represent a major constraint to production. This study aims to characterize Fusarium isolates from diseased eggplant plants. This would allow better management of African eggplant production, maintain crop quality, significantly reduce yield losses and above all contribute to ensuring food security. The virulence of 28 Fusarium isolates was assessed by seed inoculation from four S. aethiopicum genotypes and four S. macrocarpon genotypes. Two highly virulent isolates were identified based on the characteristics of mycelium on PDA culture medium, conidia under the microscope and sequences from the ITS region (ITS4 and ITS5). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted, and mean comparisons were performed via the Newman Keuls test at the 5% threshold. The results showed that all isolates produced symptoms and the most virulent were E38FUS and E41FUS. These two isolates generated respectively high incidence, an average rate of 30.42% in S. aethiopicum and 31% in S. macrocarpon. The same was true for severity with respective indices of 21.13% in S. aethiopicum and 22.63% in S. macrocarpon, further confirming their harmfulness.Fusarium flagelliforme and Fusarium falciforme are the two identified species, representing E38FUS and E41FUS respectively. This study highlights important alternatives, like identification of molecules of interest for biological and chemical treatments, and also varietal screening against Fusarium wilt.

Abstract Background While risk factors for acquiring invasive fusariosis in patients with hematological cancers have been studied in the past, the risk factors for attributable mortality are not defined, especially in the United States. This study explored the risk factors for attributable mortality in proven invasive Fusarium infections in patients with hematological cancers.Table 1:Patient-specific and Fusarium infection-specific characteristics.This table describes the patient- and infection-specific characteristics of a cohort of patients with proven Fusarium infections and hematological malignancies.Table 2:Significant risk factors for attributable mortality from fusariosis at 30-days, 90 days, 180 days, and 365 daysThis table highlights the significant risk factors for attributable mortality in patients with proven fusariosis and hematological malignancies across various time points such as 30, 90, 180, and 365 days. Methods This is a single center retrospective study of adult patients with hematological malignancies and proven invasive Fusarium infections admitted to a tertiary academic center from January 2010 to January 2021. Primary endpoint was attributable mortality at 30 days from diagnosis of infection, with secondary endpoints of the same at 90, 180, and 365 days. Statistical analysis was done using Fischer’s exact test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results 31 patients with hematological cancers and proven Fusarium infections were identified: two being excluded due to missing data. Analysis of baseline patient and infection characteristics for fusariosis (TABLE 1) confirmed previously known risk factors such as acute leukemia (82.7%), relapsed/refractory cancer (62.1%), prior stem cell transplantation (55.2%), neutropenia (86.2%), lymphopenia (96.6%), and disseminated infection (58.6%). 30-day attributable mortality was 24.1%. At 30 days, lack of neutrophil recovery was the only significant risk factor for attributable mortality (p=0.028), but at 90 and 180 days, lack of lymphocyte recovery is also significant (p=0.036 and 0.030 respectively) in addition to neutrophil recovery (TABLE 2). Receipt of prior stem cell transplantation was associated with attributable mortality at 180 days (p=0.009) while lack of resolution of Fusarium infection was associated with attributable mortality at 90, 180, and 365 days (p=0.038, 0.026, and 0.014 respectively). Conclusion This is the largest single center cohort of adult patients with proven Fusarium infections in the setting of hematological cancers in the United States studying risk factors for attributable mortality at various time points after infection. Lack of neutrophil recovery was a significant risk factor for attributable mortality in our patients at 30, 90, and 180 days. Lack of lymphocyte recovery was a significant risk factor for attributable mortality at 90 and 180 days. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures