Effects of β-estradiol on the Phytopathogenic Fungus Fusarium graminearum

Estrogen, a key sex hormone in humans and other mammals, regulates the female reproductive system and has important medicinal applications. It enters the environment through sources such as animal feces and medical waste. It is structurally similar to the mycotoxin zearalenone produced by the homothallic fungus Fusarium graminearum. This fungus is responsible for causing Fusarium head blight on cereal crops around the world. We investigated the effects of the major estrogen, β-estradiol, on the development of F. graminearum. β-estradiol increased the production of asexual conidia and sexual perithecia in this fungus. It also accelerated conidial germination of F. graminearum, Fusarium solani, and Fusarium oxysporum. Furthermore, it restored mycelial growth under membrane stress and enhanced survival under oxidative and cold stress conditions. It also affected mycotoxin production. These findings suggest that estrogen pollution would influence the life cycle of F. graminearum and the interactions between plant pathogens and plants.