TrcrtB regulates carotenoid biosynthesis, stress tolerance, conidiation and pathogenicity in the postharvest pink rot fungus, Trichothecium roseum.

Agroecological functions of Trichoderma harzianum, an endophytic fungus of the avocado root: its role in plant growth, defense and multitrophic interactions.

The results support the use of T. harzianum as an effective bioinoculant to enhance plant growth and suppress pests, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic agrochemicals.

PdEch1 regulates the conidia production of Penicillium digitatum and oxidative stress tolerance.

The transcription factor CfMBZ1 of Colletotrichum fructicola governs host penetration to mediate Glomerella leaf spot pathogenesis in apple

Colletotrichum fructicola, the primary causal agent of Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), is a destructive fungal pathogen of apple, whose underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain largely unknown. A previous transcriptomic analysis of infected leaves indicated induction of the transcription factor CfMBZ1. This study confirmed that CfMBZ1 is highly expressed in conidia and during early infection. To elucidate its function, we generated a ΔCfMBZ1 deletion mutant via homologous recombination. Phenotypic analysis revealed that ΔCfMBZ1 lost pathogenicity on apple leaves due to a blockage in appressorium-mediated host penetration, despite retaining the ability to form penetration pegs on cellophane. However, extension of invasive hyphae and necrotrophic growth in wounded apple fruit were unaffected. The mutant also exhibited defects in maintaining the integrity of the cell wall and cell membrane, as well as in tolerating oxidative and acid–base stress. Comparative transcriptome analysis suggested that CfMBZ1 regulates appressorium-mediated penetration by modulating genes involved in peroxisome biogenesis, lipid droplet metabolism, and other penetration-related pathways. Our findings reveal that CfMBZ1 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Glomerella leaf spot caused by C. fructicola.

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

It is reported that the methyltransferase FpLaeA is a global regulator essential for F. proliferatum pathogenicity and a target for integrated control of F. proliferatum and its associated mycotoxin risk.

TPS10 contributes to linalool emission in rice in response to brown planthopper infestation.

BACKGROUND Terpenoids, a prominent class of herbivore-induced plant volatiles, play a crucial role in plant responses to insect attacks. However, the precise ecological functions of individual terpene synthases in rice defense mechanisms remain unclear. RESULTS The level of OsTPS10 expression was greatly increased 24 h following infestation by the brown planthopper (BPH). To explore the function of OsTPS10, rice lines with OsTPS10 knockout and overexpression were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, respectively. Enzyme activity tests confirmed that OsTPS10 encodes a monoterpene synthase that converts geranyl diphosphate to linalool. Following BPH infestation, linalool emissions in the overexpression lines increased significantly from 0.0438% to 0.1537%, whereas the knockout lines showed a reduction in volatile emissions. Although modification of OsTPS10 expression did not affect plant growth or key physiological characteristics, it significantly changed the volatile emission profile of the rice plants. Notably, the overexpression lines exhibited enhanced resistance-related responses to BPH, as evidenced by reduced plant damage and changes in insect behavior. In addition, increased expression of OsTPS10 reduced the susceptibility of rice plants to sheath blight under controlled conditions. These findings suggest that OsTPS10-related volatile production may contribute to rice defense against both herbivores and pathogens without compromising growth. CONCLUSION Our findings provide valuable insights into the role of terpene-mediated responses in rice plants during interactions with BPH, highlighting OsTPS10 as a promising target for future research on sustainable pest management and resistance breeding. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

VdOMO contributes to development, stress adaptation, siderophore-associated iron acquisition, and early host colonization in Verticillium dahliae

Findings underscore a significant role for VdOMO in siderophore-associated iron acquisition, fungal development, stress adaptation, and the early stages of host colonization in V. dahliae.