G-protein-coupled receptor sensing of farnesol controls fungal dormancy and is susceptible to bacterial interference.

Farnesol sensing through the G-protein-coupled receptor Rsd1 regulates dormancy and germination in Fusarium pseudograminearum, with bacterial interactions influencing this process.

• Why it matters: Understanding how fungi switch between dormancy and germination is crucial for managing plant diseases caused by Fusarium species, yet the molecular mechanisms remain poorly defined.
• What they did: The study identified Rsd1 as a farnesol-responsive receptor controlling dormancy, and examined how environmental farnesol and bacteria modulate germination and disease severity through this pathway, involving 11 bacterial strains.
• The result: Findings reveal that microbial interactions can alter fungal dormancy and infection dynamics by targeting Rsd1 sensing, providing insights into controlling Fusarium-related plant diseases.