Endophytic Fungus Reshapes Spikelet Microbiome to Reduce Mycotoxin Produced by Fusarium proliferatum through Altering Rice Metabolites

Ricespikelet rot disease (RSRD) caused by Fusariumproliferatum seriously reduces rice yield and producesmycotoxins that threaten human health. The root symbiotic endophyticfungus Phomopsis liquidambaris reducesRSRD incidence and fumonisins accumulation in grain by 21.5 and 9.3%,respectively, while the mechanism of disease resistance remains largelyelusive. Here, we found that B3 significantly reduced the abundanceof pathogen from 79.91 to 2.84% and considerably enriched resistantmicrobes Pseudomonas and Proteobacteria in the spikelet microbial community. Further study revealed thatB3 altered the metabolites of spikelets, especially hordenine and l-aspartic acid, which played a key role in reshaping the microbiomeand supporting the growth of the functional core microbe Pseudomonas, and inhibited the pathogen growth and mycotoxin production. Thisstudy provided a feasibility of regulating the function of abovegroundmicrobial communities by manipulating plant subsurface tissues tocontrol disease and mycotoxin pollutants in agricultural production.

Automated summary

A study found that the root symbiotic endophytic fungus and the metabolite B3 can reduce the abundance of pathogenic fungi in rice spikelets, enrich resistant microbes, and inhibit the growth of pathogens and mycotoxin production. This study provides feasibility for controlling disease and toxin contamination in agricultural production by manipulating plant underground tissues to regulate the function of aboveground microbial communities.