Phytotoxicity mechanisms of the mycotoxin fusaric acid

Fusaric acid is a water-soluble mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium species. Owing to its phytotoxicity, fusaric acid is regarded as an important virulence factor for infection of host plants by the related Fusarium species. Therefore, plant diseases caused by Fusarium species not only affect the stable yield of crops, but also lead to fusaric acid contamination on agricultural products and feeds, which threatens human and animal health. This paper summarized the contamination status, biosynthesis, phytotoxicity mechanism of fusaric acid and discussed the strategies to reduce Fusarium diseases during crop planting.