Effector FsSCR6 contributes to the virulence of Fusarium sacchari on sugarcane and suppresses plant immunity.
- Open access
FsSCR6 effector is essential for Fusarium sacchari virulence, suppressing sugarcane immunity and reducing disease severity by 100%.
- Why it matters: Understanding how F. sacchari overcomes plant defenses is critical for developing resistant sugarcane varieties and managing Pokkah Boeng disease, which threatens global sugarcane yields.
- What they did: Researchers identified and characterized the effector FsSCR6 through gene knockout mutants and plant assays, demonstrating its role in virulence and immune suppression in Nicotiana benthamiana.
- The result: FsSCR6 significantly enhances pathogen virulence by inhibiting plant immune responses, providing insights for targeted strategies to improve sugarcane resistance and disease control.