A fungal endophyte systemically colonizes cereal crops and confers protection against Fusarium pathogens

To investigate whether the fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum (YZ1) can endophytically colonize multiple cereal crops (maize, millet, and sorghum) and to evaluate its effects on plant growth promotion and Fusarium disease suppression.

YZ1 systemically colonized millet, sorghum, and maize tissues without causing any symptoms, remaining fully asymptomatic in living plant tissues and transitioning to saprophytic growth in senescent tissues and dead plant material. In greenhouse trials, YZ1-inoculated maize, millet, and sorghum plants showed enhanced growth, with significant increases in plant height, leaf area, biomass, and grain yield compared to uninoculated plants. In dual-culture assays, YZ1 antagonized the growth of Fusarium pseudograminearum and F. oxysporum. In planta assays further showed that YZ1 inoculation significantly reduced Fusarium crown rot severity in wheat challenged with F. pseudograminearum highlighting its disease-suppressive potential. Untargeted LC-MS analysis of YZ1 culture extracts identified multiple antifungal secondary metabolites, indicating a direct antagonistic mechanism.

YZ1 is a versatile systemic endophyte in cereal crops that promotes host growth and provides broad-spectrum Fusarium disease suppression. Its dual lifestyle (asymptomatic colonization of living tissue and saprophytic growth on senescent tissue) and ability to spread from root to shoot highlight its potential as a sustainable biocontrol agent for cereal crops.