Advances in Tea Gray Blight Research: Classification, Pathogenic Mechanisms, and Host Immunity from a Multi-Omics Perspective of Pestalotiopsis -like Fungi

Advanced host‒pathogen interactions in wheat and Zymoseptoria tritici: invasion strategies and plant defense mechanisms

FpLaeA Coordinates Fusarium proliferatum Pathogenesis by Orchestrating Mycotoxin Biosynthesis and Host Immune Subversion

Fusarium proliferatum causes rice spikelet rot and contaminates grains with fumonisins. Here, we report that the methyltransferase FpLaeA is a global regulator essential for its pathogenicity. Deletion of FplaeA impaired conidiation and led to conspicuous accumulation of β-1,3-glucan. The ΔFplaeA mutant failed to produce fumonisin B1 (FB1), accompanied by the downregulation of the biosynthetic gene cluster, depletion of the precursor alanine, and disruption of sphingolipid homeostasis. It also showed defective invasive hyphal growth and attenuated secretion of pectate lyase (PL) and polygalacturonase (PG). Crucially, infection by ΔFplaeA triggered an activation of jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated defenses, evidenced by elevated JA levels and upregulated expression of JA biosynthetic genes. Our findings position FpLaeA as a key coordinator of fungal pathogenesis and immune evasion, highlighting its potential as a target for integrated control of F. proliferatum and its associated mycotoxin risk.

Deciphering the Molecular Interplay Between Wheat and Puccinia striiformis f. sp. Tritici: Mechanisms of Interaction and Resistance Strategies.

Cs WRKY30-initiates activation network of multi chemical defense events to confer resistance in tea plant to Colletotrichum camelliae

Tea anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum camelliae, severely compromises tea yield and quality. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying tea plants resistance to C. camelliae remain poorly understood. In this study, multi-omics profiling revealed that C. camelliae infection triggers a series of resistance responses represented by H2O2 production, carbohydrates reallocation, and especially biosynthesis of defensive phenylpropanoids. Among these, dihydroquercetin, 3-O-methylquercetin, quercetin, and eriodictyol exerted observable antifungal activity. Genetic analysis of genes (CsPAL1 and CsPAL3) encoding phenylpropanoid biosynthesis confirmed the importance of defensive phenylpropanoids in conferring diseases resistance of tea plants to C. camelliae. Meanwhile, the mannitol content increased in tea leaves infected by C. camelliae. Furthermore, overexpression of CsMTD31 encoding mannitol dehydrogenase (MTD) reduced mannitol levels, enhancing ROS accumulation and tea resistance. Notably, we identified that CsWRKY30 directly transactivated CsMTD31, CsPAL1 and CsPAL3 expressions via binding to their promoters. This regulatory action simultaneously increases the content of phenylpropanoids and reduces mannitol levels, thereby enhancing disease resistance in tea plants. Moreover, CsWRKY30 was found to be a hub regulator in activating basal resistance responses, and its overexpression induced a general up-regulation of genes involved in defensive metabolisms and basal immunity. Collectively, this study elucidates a CsWRKY30-centered transcriptional network crucial for immunity activation, establishing an important theoretical and molecular foundation for breeding disease-resistant tea cultivars.

Integrated Pangenomic and Systems Biology Analyses Reveal the Genomic Basis of Virulence and Adaptation in Bipolaris sorokiniana

Uncovering the Critical Role of Herbivore-Induced DMNT in Enhancing Cowpea’s Multifaceted Defense to Liriomyza sativae

Understanding the roles of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) in regulating plant–herbivore–natural enemy interactions is essential for developing integrated pest management strategies. In this study, we found cowpea infested by leafminers (Liriomyza sativae) repelled the herbivores and attracted their natural enemy Neochrysocharis formosa, accompanied by the emission of large amounts of (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT). Bioassays confirmed that DMNT simultaneously repelled L. sativae and attracted N. formosa. In addition, DMNT triggered jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis in neighboring plants, activating plant-to-plant defense signaling. Further assays demonstrated that the enhanced expression of the nerolidol synthase gene VuNES, mediated by JA signaling, was the key factor promoting DMNT emission. These findings suggest that DMNT plays an important role in mediating tritrophic interactions among cowpea, leafminers, and parasitoid wasps, and elucidate the mechanism underlying its herbivory-induced emission. Our study provides a theoretical foundation for developing sustainable, DMNT-based strategies for integrated pest management.