Summary Fusarium diseases pose a severe global threat to major cereal crops, particularly wheat. Existing biocontrol strains against Fusarium diseases are believed to primarily rely on antagonistic mechanisms, but not widely used under field conditions. Here, we report an endophytic fungus, Purpureocillium lilacinum YZ1, that shows promise in combating wheat Fusarium diseases. Under glasshouse conditions, YZ1 inoculation increased the survival rate of Fusarium graminearum (Fg)‐infected wheat seedlings from 0% to > 60% at the seedling stage, and reduced spikelet infections by 70.8% during anthesis. In field trials, the application of YZ1 resulted in an impressive 89.0% reduction in Fg‐susceptible spikelets. While a slight antagonistic effect of YZ1 against Fg was observed on plates, the induction of wheat systemic resistance by YZ1, which is distantly effective, non‐specific, and long‐lasting, appeared to be a key contributor to YZ1's biocontrol capabilities. Utilizing three imaging methods, we confirmed YZ1 as a potent endophyte capable of rapid colonization of wheat roots, and systematically spreading to the stem and leaves. Integrating dual RNA‐Seq, photosynthesis measurements and cell wall visualization supported the link between YZ1's growth‐promoting abilities and the activation of wheat systemic resistance. In conclusion, endophytes such as YZ1, which exhibits non‐antagonistic mechanisms, hold significant potential for industrial‐scale biocontrol applications.

中文翻译：

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一种有效的内生真菌紫紫紫霉 YZ1 可防止大田小麦的镰刀菌感染


摘要 镰刀菌病害对全球主要谷类作物，特别是小麦构成严重威胁。现有的针对镰刀菌病害的生物防治菌株被认为主要依赖于拮抗机制，但在田间条件下并未广泛使用。在这里，我们报道了一种内生真菌紫紫紫菌 YZ1，它在对抗小麦镰刀菌病方面显示出前景。在温室条件下，接种YZ1可将禾谷镰刀菌（Fg）感染的小麦幼苗的成活率从0％提高到> 60％，并在开花期间将小穗感染减少70.8％。在田间试验中，YZ1 的应用使 Fg 敏感小穗减少了 89.0%，令人印象深刻。虽然在平板上观察到 YZ1 对 Fg 有轻微的拮抗作用，但 YZ1 诱导的小麦系统抗性具有远距离、非特异性和持久性，这似乎是 YZ1 生物防治能力的关键因素。利用三种成像方法，我们证实 YZ1 是一种有效的内生菌，能够快速定植于小麦根部，并系统地扩散到茎和叶。整合双 RNA 测序、光合作用测量和细胞壁可视化支持 YZ1 的生长促进能力与小麦系统抗性激活之间的联系。总之，像 YZ1 这样的内生菌表现出非拮抗机制，在工业规模的生物防治应用中具有巨大的潜力。