Fusarium crown rot in wheat: advances in the biology, pathogenicity, and management of Fusarium pseudograminearum

Abstract Fusarium crown rot (FCR), predominantly caused by the soil-borne pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum , poses a severe and escalating threat to global wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) production and food security. This review consolidates recent advances in understanding the pathogen’s biology, infection strategies, host–pathogen interactions, and sustainable management practices. F. pseudograminearum deploys trichothecene mycotoxins, particularly deoxynivalenol (DON), to undermine host immunity, with its virulence governed by transcription factors and functional proteins involved in fungal growth, toxin biosynthesis, and stress adaptation. In response, wheat initiates a multilayered defense mechanism, primarily by upregulating genes related to toxin detoxification and transport, hormonal signaling, and structural reinforcement. Integrated disease management (IDM) practices aimed at mitigating disease severity include agronomic interventions, fungicides, biocontrol agents, and breeding efforts supported by quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, genome-wide association (GWAS) studies, and genome editing. To address the dynamic nature of F. pseudograminearum populations under changing environmental conditions, future directions should prioritize climate-resilient strategies, integrated multi-omics approaches, drone-based early detection technologies, and global pathogen surveillance systems. This review provides an updated framework to guide sustainable and effective FCR control.