Pathogens belonging to the Fusarium genus are causal agents of the most significant crop diseases worldwide. Virtually all Fusarium species synthesize toxic secondary metabolites, known as mycotoxins; however, the roles of mycotoxins are not yet fully understood. To understand how a fungal partner alters its lifestyle to assimilate with the plant host remains a challenge. The review presented the mechanisms of mycotoxin biosynthesis in the Fusarium genus under various environmental conditions, such as pH, temperature, moisture content, and nitrogen source. It also concentrated on plant metabolic pathways and cytogenetic changes that are influenced as a consequence of mycotoxin confrontations. Moreover, we looked through special secondary metabolite production and mycotoxins specific for some significant fungal pathogens-plant host models. Plant strategies of avoiding the Fusarium mycotoxins were also discussed. Finally, we outlined the studies on the potential of plant secondary metabolites in defense reaction to Fusarium infection.

Being pathogenic fungi, Fusarium produce various extracellular cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs) that degrade the polysaccharides in the plant cell wall. They also produce mycotoxins that contaminate grains, thereby posing a serious threat to animals and human beings. Exposure to mycotoxins occurs through ingestion of contaminated grains, inhalation and through skin absorption, thereby causing mycotoxicoses. The toxins weaken the host plant, allowing the pathogen to invade successfully, with the efficiency varying from strain to strain and depending on the plant infected. Fusariumoxysporum predominantly produces moniliformin and cyclodepsipeptides, whereas F. proliferatum produces fumonisins. The aim of the study was to understand the role of various substrates and pea plant extracts in inducing the production of CWDEs and mycotoxins. Additionally, to monitor the differences in their levels when susceptible and resistant pea plant extracts were supplemented. The cultures of F. proliferatum and F. oxysporum strains were supplemented with various potential inducers of CWDEs. During the initial days after the addition of substrates, the fungus cocultivated with pea extracts and other carbon substrates showed increased activities of β-glucosidase, xylanase, exo-1,4-glucanase and lipase. The highest inhibition of mycelium growth (57%) was found in the cultures of F. proliferatum strain PEA1 upon the addition of cv. Sokolik extract. The lowest fumonisin content was exhibited by the cultures with the pea extracts and oat bran added, and this can be related to the secondary metabolites and antioxidants present in these substrates.

Plants employ a diversified array of defense activities when they encounter stress. Continuous activation of defense pathways that were induced by mutation or altered expression of disease resistance genes and mRNA surveillance mechanisms develop abnormal phenotypes. These plants show continuous defense genes’ expression, reduced growth, and also manifest tissue damage by apoptosis. These macroscopic abrasions appear even in the absence of the pathogen and can be attributed to a condition known as autoimmunity. The question is whether it is possible to develop an autoimmune mutant that does not fetch yield and growth penalty and provides enhanced protection against various biotic and abiotic stresses via secondary metabolic pathways’ engineering. This review is a discussion about the common stress-fighting mechanisms, how the concept of cross-tolerance instigates propitious or protective autoimmunity, and how it can be achieved by engineering secondary metabolic pathways.