Search Results (4,042)

Damping-off caused by Fusarium spp. limits tomato seedling establishment, while chemical control is constrained by resistance development and environmental risks. As a result, biological alternatives and nanomaterials have attracted increasing interest. This study aimed to quantify the in vitro inhibition and in vivo control of Fusarium spp. associated with tomato damping-off using the marine strains KN1 and KN2 of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs). Nine fungal isolates were recovered from symptomatic plants; the most virulent isolate (3DR23HA) caused 60% disease incidence and was identified as Fusarium oxysporum. In dual-culture assays, both bacterial strains inhibited mycelial growth, with percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) values exceeding 65% in several isolates, whereas KN1 showed greater inhibition of conidial germination. CuO-NPs exhibited a concentration-dependent response, reaching near-complete suppression at 0.75–1.0 mg mL⁻¹. In seedlings, the inoculated control showed 100% incidence and a disease severity index (DSI) of 85%, whereas KN1, KN1 + CuO-NPs at 0.75 mg mL⁻¹, and KN2 + CuO-NPs at 0.75 mg mL⁻¹ achieved a DSI of 0 and 100% control efficiency, while also improving growth and biomass. Overall, S. rhizophila, particularly strain KN1, and CuO-NPs at 0.75 mg mL⁻¹ represent a promising strategy for the integrated management of tomato damping-off in nurseries. Full article

A history of invasive mold disease (IMD) often delays or contraindicates allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children. Given the limited data on pediatric patients with pre-allo-HSCT IMD, we aimed to describe the management and clinical outcomes of a cohort of children with IMD prior to allo-HSCT through day +100 post-transplantation. Between 2021 and 2024, ten pediatric patients were identified with proven or probable IMD. Their median age was 8.5 years. The most common pathogens were Aspergillus (n = 5) and Fusarium (n = 4). Infections most frequently involved the lungs followed by paranasal sinuses, bloodstream, liver, and skin. All patients demonstrated clinical improvement before transplantation, and by day +100 post-HSCT, no IMD relapses or infection-related mortality were observed. These findings suggest that complete radiologic or clinical resolution is not a prerequisite for proceeding with transplantation. Recent IMD should not be considered an absolute contraindication to urgent allo-HSCT when clinical improvement is evident, as transplantation facilitates immune reconstitution necessary for definitive infection control. Full article

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) is one of the most destructive soil-borne pathogens affecting tomato production worldwide, causing substantial yield losses and persisting in soil for extended periods. The increasing regulatory restrictions on chemical fungicides and the emergence of resistant pathogen strains have intensified the search for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives. This systematic review synthesizes studies published between 2000 and 2025 that evaluated the antifungal efficacy of essential oils (EOs), their bioactive constituents, and EO-based nanoformulations against FOL in tomato. A total of 40 studies were included, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, encompassing in vitro, greenhouse, and limited field evaluations. Many EOs rich in phenolic compounds and oxygenated monoterpenes, such as thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, citral, and menthol, consistently inhibited FOL growth and spore germination, with reported mycelial growth inhibition ranging from 60 to 100% and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) between 0.05 and 1.5 µL ml⁻¹. However, the use of EOs is often limited because they evaporate quickly, do not mix well with water, can harm plants, and do not persist under field conditions. Nano-delivery systems, including nanoemulsions, polymeric nanoparticles, chitosan-based carriers, and lipid-based nanostructures, have been shown to enhance the stability, bioavailability, and antifungal efficacy of EOs. This has led to improved disease management and reduced pesticide application rates. In addition, several EO-based treatments have been reported to activate plant defense responses, including the induction of defense-related genes, antioxidant enzymes, and epigenetic modifications. Overall, EO-based nanoformulations show promise as next-generation biopesticides for the sustainable management of tomato Fusarium wilt. Nevertheless, large-scale field validation, standardized formulation protocols, and regulatory assessments are required before these technologies can be widely implemented in agriculture. Full article

Three novel alkaloids, penicitrioids A–C (1–3), and two known compounds (4–5) were isolated from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of the solid fermentation of Penicillium citrinum VDL118, an endophytic fungus harbored in the leaves of Vaccinium dunalianum Wight (Ericaceae), a perennial evergreen shrub native to the southwestern regions of China, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Compounds 1 and 2 are novel pyridine alkaloids characterized by an unprecedented dihydrofuro[3,4-c]pyridine core, while 3 features a distinct pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine framework. Their structures were unambiguously established by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. In vitro antifungal assays revealed that compounds 1–5 exhibited moderate to potent inhibitory effects against five tested phytopathogenic fungi, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 3.1 to 100 μg/mL. Notably, four of them (1–4) displayed broad-spectrum and potent activity against Gloeophyllum trabeum, Coriolus versicolor, Fusarium solani, and Botrytis cinerea, with MIC values as low as 3.1–12.5 μg/mL. Furthermore, a plausible biosynthetic pathway for compounds 1–3 was proposed. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic air pollutants mainly released through vehicular emissions and can accumulate on edible plants, posing health risks to humans. This study aimed to isolate and identify endophytic fungi from Allium ampeloprasum and Brassica oleracea var. capitata, which are widely cultivated along roadside areas in the upcountry region of Sri Lanka. Sampling sites included Nuwara Eliya town, Nanu Oya, St. Clair’s, and Meepilimana (control), where above-ground parts of the selected vegetables were collected in six replicates. Fungal isolates were obtained through surface sterilization, and their ability to degrade PAHs (naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene) was evaluated using plate assays, spectrophotometric analysis, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Phyllosphere PAH concentrations were also measured using HPLC. It revealed significantly higher concentrations of all four PAHs in the phyllosphere of both vegetables at polluted sites, with the highest levels recorded in A. ampeloprasum from Nuwara Eliya town: naphthalene (145.92 ng/g), phenanthrene (97.67 ng/g), anthracene (88.71 ng/g), and pyrene (63.82 ng/g). Most endophytic fungal strains isolated from both vegetables were able to grow on Bacto Bushnell–Haas (BBH) medium supplemented with PAHs, producing colonies exceeding 20 mm in diameter. Spectrophotometric analysis showed that Fusarium liriodendri SP2 (PV400499.1) and Trichoderma atroviride SP1 (PV400486.1) achieved approximately 75% degradation of selected PAHs. Furthermore, HPLC analysis confirmed that these isolates effectively degraded all tested PAHs, with degradation rates of approximately 70%. F. liriodendri was the most efficient degrader, achieving degradation rates of 68.50 ± 2.34% for naphthalene, 65.26 ± 1.21% for phenanthrene, 69.21 ± 1.45% for pyrene, and 66.89 ± 1.98% for anthracene. The PAH degradation byproducts of the selected fungal isolates were non-toxic to Artemia salina, confirming their environmental safety. These results highlight the bioremediation potential of endophytic fungi isolated from A. ampeloprasum and B. oleracea var. capitata in PAH-contaminated environments. Full article

To determine Fusarium species and their pathogenicity in maize-production areas of the Tepebaşı, Odunpazarı, Alpu, and Seyitgazi districts of Eskişehir province, Türkiye, 180 samples were collected from 45 fields during survey studies conducted in 2023–2024. A total of 110 Fusarium isolates were obtained from the collected plant samples. The isolates were identified as F. verticillioides, F. culmorum, F. proliferatum, F. graminearum, F. sambucinum, F. acuminatum, F. chlamydosporum, and F. equiseti. The most common species was F. verticillioides, while the most virulent species was F. graminearum, with a disease severity of 96.67%. The effects of different doses of soil-applied herbicides containing the active ingredients Isoxaflutole + Thiencarbazone-methyl + Cyprosulfamide, Dimethenamid-P + Saflufenacil, and S-Metolachlor + Terbuthylazine on F. graminearum were evaluated under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Under in vitro conditions, the highest inhibition rate (57.23%) was observed in the double-dose application of the herbicide containing S-Metolachlor + Terbuthylazine. This was followed by the upper and recommended doses of the same herbicide with inhibition rates of 47.16% and 39.46%, respectively. For the other herbicides, inhibition rates increased with increasing herbicide dose. In field trials, the highest suppression of the pathogen was also observed with the herbicide containing S-Metolachlor + Terbuthylazine. While the recommended dose showed a 38.6% effect against the pathogen, the upper dose resulted in a 45.31% effect. This study suggests that herbicide applications may be associated with improved plant growth, likely due to reduced pathogen pressure and decreased weed competition. The findings highlight the complex interactions between soil-applied herbicides, soil-borne pathogens, and host plants, and provide insights into the development of integrated disease management strategies in maize-production systems. Full article

RNA interference (RNAi) provides a sequence-specific strategy for pest management, but efficient and stable double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery remains a key challenge. Here, we established a plant-probiotic-based gene silencing system using the endophytic fungus Fusarium commune G3-29 as a dsRNA delivery vector against western flower thrips (WFTs, Frankliniella occidentalis). Recombinant G3-29 strains expressing dsRNA targeting the essential WFT genes ACT and SNF were constructed and confirmed to colonize kidney bean leaves without pathogenicity. Bioassays showed that feeding on leaves colonized by dsRNA-expressing G3-29 significantly decreased survival and downregulated target gene expression in both WFT larvae and adults. Within 4 days, survival of both larvae and adults fell below 10%. In larvae, target gene expression decreased by 63% (ACT) and 33% (SNF), while in adults, reductions of 74% (ACT) and 65% (SNF) were observed. In contrast, in vitro-synthesized dsRNA failed to induce significant gene silencing or mortality in larvae, and its control efficacy against adults was also inferior to that of endophytic fungus-mediated dsRNA delivery. Our findings establish endophytic fungus F. commune G3-29 as an effective and sustainable dsRNA delivery vehicle for RNAi-based pest control, offering distinct advantages over existing strategies such as HIGS and SIGS. This approach provides a promising new direction for managing WFTs and other insect pests. Full article

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) is an economically important crop that remains highly susceptible to destructive fungal diseases, including gummy stem blight, downy mildew, Fusarium wilt, and anthracnose. Although fungicides and resistant cultivars are widely used, reliance on chemical control raises concerns regarding environmental safety, food quality, and the emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogen populations. Consequently, microbial biopesticides, particularly Bacillus species, have attracted increasing attention as sustainable alternatives. In this study, muskmelon plants exhibiting leaf wilting, chlorosis, and stem yellowing were collected from Guangming Farm in Wufeng, Taichung, Taiwan, and associated pathogens were isolated from stem tissues and identified to determine the causal agent of these symptoms. In addition, the biocontrol efficacy of Bacillus subtilis strain MCLB2 against melon fruit rot, as well as its underlying mechanisms, was evaluated. Pathogenicity assays confirmed that isolate F01 was the causal agent. Based on morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis, this isolate showed 99.8% identity to Fusarium pernambucanum URM 7559 (GenBank accession no. NR_163754), and phylogenetic analysis further placed it within the Fusarium incarnatum–equiseti species complex (FIESC). Antagonistic assays demonstrated that B. subtilis MCLB2 significantly inhibited mycelial growth and suppressed the spore germination of F. pernambucanum. In addition, culture filtrates of strain MCLB2 effectively reduced Fusarium-induced fruit rot in melon and disrupted fungal cellular respiration. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis revealed that the strain produced surfactin-family lipopeptides. In conclusion, B. subtilis MCLB2 exhibits potential as a sustainable biocontrol agent for managing Fusarium fruit rot in melon, likely through surfactin-mediated disruption of fungal cellular respiration. Full article

Astragalus membranaceus is an important perennial medicinal plant whose roots constitute its primary medicinal organ; however, its cultivation is severely constrained by root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum. This study aimed to characterize differences in the rhizosphere microbiome between healthy and diseased plants, identify antagonistic microorganisms from healthy rhizosphere soils, and investigate their suppressive effects on F. oxysporum and the associated host metabolic responses. High-throughput sequencing was used to compare bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizospheres of healthy and diseased plants. Microorganisms were isolated from healthy rhizosphere soils and screened for antagonistic activity against F. oxysporum, followed by validation in pot experiments. Metabolomic analysis was further conducted to assess host metabolic responses to microbial treatment. Root rot disease significantly altered the dominant composition of rhizosphere microbial communities and was associated with reduced fungal diversity and lower bacterial richness in diseased soils. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed increased complexity in bacterial networks and strengthened positive correlations among fungal taxa under diseased conditions. A total of 81 microbial strains were isolated from healthy rhizosphere soils, among which Penicillium halotolerans exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity against the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum. Pot experiments further supported its suppressive effect on Astragalus root rot. Metabolomic analysis indicated that P. halotolerans treatment was associated with changes in host metabolic profiles related to energy metabolism, defense-associated protein synthesis, and nutrient uptake. Overall, this study identified P. halotolerans as a fungal strain with antagonistic activity against F. oxysporum and provided initial evidence for its association with the suppression of Astragalus root rot. These findings offer candidate microbial resources and mechanistic insights for understanding rhizosphere-associated disease suppression in Astragalus membranaceus. Full article

Breakthrough invasive fungal infections (bIFIs) are a challenging serious complication in high-risk hematologic patients and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients that may negatively impact their outcome. Despite advances in antifungal prophylaxis, diagnostics, and supportive care, bIFI occurrence reflects a complex interaction between host immunosuppression, emergence of resistant pathogens and pharmacological variables, including subtherapeutic drug exposure. Candida spp. have shifted towards non-albicans yeasts, whereas breakthrough mold infections more frequently involve non-fumigatus Aspergillus, Mucorales, Fusarium spp., and Scedosporium/Lomentospora spp. Early clinical recognition, rapid therapy escalation, aggressive diagnostic investigation, a switch to liposomal amphotericin B-based regimens in patients on azole prophylaxis, and therapeutic drug monitoring are essential to improve outcomes. Reducing the growing global burden of bIFIs will also require improved access to high-quality diagnostics and strengthened educational and stewardship efforts that prioritize antifungal resistance as an urgent health concern. Full article

Zearalenone (ZEA) is an estrogenic Fusarium mycotoxin widely contaminating feed and feedstuffs, and posing significant risks to animal health. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the toxicological effects of dietary exposure to purified ZEA at doses ranging from below to above the Chinese regulatory limit (0.15 mg/kg) in weaned female piglets. Twenty piglets were randomly assigned to five groups (four piglets per group) receiving 0, 0.075, 0.15, 0.3, or 0.6 mg/kg ZEA for 42 days. Results suggested that ZEA promoted systemic oxidative stress, evidenced by decreased serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in liver across all doses, and in jejunal mucosa at ≥0.15 mg/kg (p < 0.01). Growth performance declined only at 0.6 mg/kg during days 29–42 (p < 0.01), while hemoglobin (HGB) levels (p < 0.01) and ileal villus height (p < 0.05) were reduced at all doses. ZEA also caused inflammatory dysregulation, as evidenced by decreased interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels in serum, liver, and intestinal tissues across all doses (p < 0.01), and disrupted reproductive hormones even at 0.075 mg/kg, as indicated by suppressed serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels (p < 0.01), which progressed to histopathological damage in uterine and ovarian tissues at higher doses. These preliminary findings, together with significant correlations between oxidative stress markers and multi-organ parameters, suggest that low doses of purified ZEA may induce systemic oxidative stress and subclinical multi-organ toxicity in weaned female piglets, highlighting the need to incorporate redox status into risk assessment and to explore potential antioxidant-based mitigation strategies. However, given the small sample size, these results should be interpreted with caution and warrant validation in larger samples. Full article

Pitch canker caused by the fungus Fusarium circinatum is a destructive disease that affects pines in Europe, South Africa, and North America, particularly along the southeastern and western coasts of the United States. This study systematically elucidated the function of the Leucine-rich repeat (LRR) protein FcLRR1 in the pine pitch canker pathogen Fusarium circinatum. A total of 13 LRR proteins were identified via bioinformatic analysis. Using a gene knockout system, we demonstrated that deletion of FcLRR1 significantly impaired vegetative growth, conidiation, and conidium germination; led to a complete loss of macroconidia production; and drastically reduced abiotic stress tolerance and virulence. Transcriptome profiling revealed 612 downregulated genes, which were significantly enriched in pathways such as starch and sucrose metabolism, indicating that FcLRR1 modulated energy supply and pathogenicity through carbon source utilization. Through genome-wide protein structure modeling and yeast two-hybrid assays, we identified and validated the interaction between FcLRR1 and ALG-11, among other candidate proteins, further supporting its involvement in carbon metabolism, cell wall integrity, and pathogenesis. This study represents the first functional characterization of an LRR-containing protein in a forest pathogenic fungus and provides a foundational basis for developing targeted disease control strategies. Full article

Plant fungal diseases, such as apple tree canker caused by Valsa mali, have caused severe losses in agricultural production. Traditional chemical fungicides induce drug resistance in pathogens and cause environmental pollution. Therefore, it is of substantial importance to screen efficient and environmentally friendly bacterial strains as potential biocontrol agents. The tea rhizosphere harbors abundant microbial resources, and previous research has identified microorganisms with antifungal activity existing in this environment. Therefore, in this study, we isolated antagonistic bacteria with broad-spectrum biocontrol potential from tea rhizosphere soil. In this study, a strain with strong antagonistic activity against V. mali was isolated from tea rhizosphere soil. Based on morphological characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and whole-genome analysis, the isolated strain was identified as Bacillus velezensis and designated as LW-66. This strain demonstrated broad-spectrum antifungal activity against various plant pathogenic fungi, including Valsa mali, Fusarium graminearum, Bipolaris sorokinianum, Alternaria solani, and Exserohilum turcicum. The active extract of B. velezensis maintained strong stability across a wide range of temperatures (25–90 °C) and pH values (2–8), with stability decreasing only when the temperature reached 100 °C or pH ≥ 10. In a preventive assay using detached apple branches inoculated with V. mali, the control efficacy of LW-66 against apple tree canker reached more than 90%. Additionally, in a therapeutic assay using V. mali-infected potted apple seedlings, the LW-66 bone-glue bacterial agent achieved a survival rate of up to 90%. Whole-genome analysis revealed that the genome of LW-66 contains 13 predicted secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, seven of which showed high homology (≥92% similarity) with known antimicrobial gene clusters, including surfactin, bacillaene, macrolactin H, fengycin, difficidin, bacillibactin, and bacilysin. These gene clusters may be connected to the broad-spectrum antifungal activity of B. velezensis, as well as its ability to disrupt hyphal morphology. The volatile organic compounds produced by LW-66 inhibited V. mali growth by 91.70%. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that B. velezensis LW-66 has a wide antimicrobial range and strong antagonistic effects against multiple plant pathogenic fungi. Therefore, B. velezensis shows promise as a biocontrol agent for managing fungal diseases in plants, providing a basis for developing LW-66-derived biocontrol products aimed at controlling diseases such as apple tree canker. Full article

Hyperspectral (HS) analysis was used to measure the dynamics of Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease severity on panicles of three oat cultivars, ‘Husky’, ‘Ivory’, and ‘Lelde’, under greenhouse conditions. Inoculation with Fusarium spp. spore material was conducted (i) on the seeds and (ii) plants at the mid-flowering stage (BBCH 65). Disease development on oat panicles was assessed visually, and imaged with an HS camera from the end of the flowering stage (BBCH 69) to the early–middle ripe stage (BBCH 83–85). To verify that FHB symptoms were caused by Fusarium spp. pathogens, a microbiological test was performed. At the end of the trial, mycotoxin analysis of the kernels was conducted. The collected HS data from diseased and control plant panicles were used to estimate the head blight index (HBI). A Python-based software was developed to assess HBI at the pixel level. Both visual assessment and HS analysis confirmed statistically significant differences in disease severity between all treatment options. The highest disease severity results were obtained in the last disease assessment run (BBCH 83–85) for the inoculated head treatment. Microbiological test results confirmed that FHB symptoms in oat kernels were mostly caused by F. sporotrichioides. The correlation coefficient between the visually assessed FHB disease severity results and HS analysis results was 0.969. The correlation coefficient between T-2/HT-2 mycotoxins and HS disease severity results was 0.971, which suggests the potential for using HS analysis in field monitoring for mycotoxin content detection. Full article

We developed an automated system for detecting Fusarium infection in pineapple leaves and fruits using a two-input onvolutional neural network. Implemented on a Raspberry Pi 5 with a high-quality camera, the system analyzes image pairs, fruit, and leaves of healthy and infected samples. To build the dataset, pineapple images were inoculated with Fusarium, photographed daily for 15 days, then augmented through geometric and color transformations, producing 1500 image pairs. Model transparency was enhanced by using local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME). Evaluated with a confusion matrix, the model achieved an 89.61% accuracy using 77 infected and 77 non-infected image pairs for testing. Full article