The Fusarium genus includes some of the most economically and ecologically impactful fungal pathogens affecting global agriculture and human health. Over the past 15 years, rapid advances in molecular biology, genomics, and diagnostic technologies have reshaped our understanding of Fusarium taxonomy, host–pathogen dynamics, mycotoxin biosynthesis, and disease management. This review synthesizes key developments in these areas, focusing on agriculturally important Fusarium species complexes such as the Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC), Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC), and a discussion on emerging lineages such as Neocosmospora. We explore recent shifts in species delimitation, functional genomics, and the molecular architecture of pathogenicity. In addition, we examine the global burden of Fusarium-induced mycotoxins by examining their prevalence in three of the world’s most widely consumed staple crops: maize, wheat, and rice. Last, we also evaluate contemporary management strategies, including molecular diagnostics, host resistance, and integrated disease control, positioning this review as a roadmap for future research and practical solutions in Fusarium-related disease and mycotoxin management. By weaving together morphological insights and cutting-edge multi-omics tools, this review captures the transition into a new era of Fusarium research where integrated, high-resolution approaches are transforming diagnosis, classification, and management.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis and F. acuminatum cause wilting and root rot in pulse crops including lentil. Fungicide seed treatments are widely used, but information about Fusarium spp. sensitivity in lentils is limited. Here, 30 F. oxysporum f. sp. lentis and 30 F. acuminatum isolates from Montana, southern Canada, North Dakota, and Washington were identified, tested for pathogenicity, and assayed for in vitro sensitivity to pyraclostrobin, prothioconazole, ipconazole, and thiophanate-methyl. F. oxysporum f. sp. lentis and F. acuminatum differed in their sensitivity to all fungicides. No resistant isolates were identified, but F. oxysporum f. sp. lentis had lower EC₅₀ values in pyraclostrobin (averaging 0.47 μg a.i./ml) than F. acuminatum (averaging 0.89 μg a.i./ml) for mycelia assays. Both species had lower EC₅₀ values in prothioconazole, averaging EC₅₀ 0.23 in F. oxysporum f. sp. lentis and 0.53 μg a.i./ml in F. acuminatum. F. oxysporum f. sp. lentis isolates had the lowest EC₅₀ values on ipconazole compared to F. acuminatum (0.78 and 1.49 μg a.i./ml). The pathogens were least sensitive to thiophanate-methyl (1.74 μg a.i./ml for F. oxysporum f. sp. lentis and 1.91 μg a.i./ml for F. acuminatum). Overall sensitivity to the fungicides was higher in F. oxysporum f. sp. lentis than F. acuminatum. This study provides reference EC₅₀ values while pointing to the possibility of differential fungicide efficacies on Fusarium spp. This will be helpful to monitor shifts in sensitivity of Fusarium spp. and devise robust root rot/wilt management approaches.

Tan spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) and stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) are major foliar diseases of wheat, causing significant yield losses globally. This study evaluated the efficacy of fungicide seed treatments in managing these diseases during early growth stages under greenhouse, growth chamber, and field conditions in the Northern Great Plains. Winter and spring wheat cultivars were treated with pyraclostrobin or combinations of thiamethoxam, difenoconazole, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane, among others. Greenhouse and growth chamber plants were inoculated with the respective pathogens, while field trials relied on natural inoculum. Fungicide treatments significantly reduced stripe rust severity (up to 36%) (p ≤ 0.05) and moderately reduced tan spot severity during early growth stages (15–20%). Treated plants demonstrated a 30–40% improvement in plant vigor, and a 25–50% increase in winter survival. Additionally, grain yield in treated plots increased by 25–50% (p ≤ 0.05), with test weight and protein content improving by 10% and 15%, respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential of fungicide seed treatments as an integrated pest (or pathogen) management (IPM) strategy to enhance early foliar disease control and wheat productivity.

The Fusarium genus includes some of the most economically and ecologically impactful fungal pathogens affecting global agriculture and human health. Over the past 15 years, rapid advances in molecular biology, genomics, and diagnostic technologies have re-shaped our understanding of Fusarium taxonomy, host-pathogen dynamics, mycotoxin biosynthesis, and disease management. This review synthesizes key developments in these areas, focusing on agriculturally important Fusarium species complexes such as the Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC), Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC), and a discussion on emerging lineages such as Neocosmospora. We explore recent shifts in species delimitation, functional genomics, and the molecular architecture of pathogenicity. In addition, we examine the global burden of Fusarium-induced myco-toxins by examining their prevalence in three of the world’s most widely consumed staple crops: maize, wheat, and rice. Last, we also evaluate contemporary management strategies, including molecular diagnostics, host resistance, and integrated disease con-trol, positioning this review as a roadmap for future research and practical solutions in Fusarium-related disease and mycotoxin management.

Root rot caused by Fusarium spp. is a significant issue in the chickpea-growing regions of Montana. The specific Fusarium species responsible for the disease and their prevalence remain uncertain. A survey was conducted in 2020 and 2021 to identify Montana’s Fusarium species associated with chickpea. Four hundred and twenty-six Fusarium isolates were recovered from symptomatic chickpea roots across ten counties in the state. Isolates were identified by comparing translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1-α) sequences in the FUSARIUM-ID database. Among the recovered isolates, Fusarium oxysporum was the most prevalent species (33%), followed by F. acuminatum (21%), F. avenaceum (15%), F. redolens (14%), F. culmorum (6%), F. sporotrichioides (6%), Neocosmospora solani (6%), F. equiseti (2%), F. torulosum (0.9%), F. gamsii (0.8%), F. proliferatum (0.2%), F. pseudograminearum (0.2%), and F. brachygibbosum (0.1%). The aggressiveness of a subset of 51 isolates representing various Fusarium spp. was tested on chickpea cv. ‘CDC Frontier’. A non-parametric variance analysis conducted on disease severity ranks indicated that F. avenaceum isolates were highly aggressive. This study reports for the first time that F. gamsii, F. proliferatum and F. brachygibbosum are causal agents of root rot in chickpea in the United States. This knowledge is invaluable for making informed decisions regarding crop rotation, disease management, and developing resistant chickpea varieties against economically significant Fusarium pathogens.

Fusarium root rot/wilt caused by various Fusarium spp. significantly threatens lentil ( Lens culinaris Medikus) production in the Northern Great Plains (NGP) region. However, the specific composition of seedborne Fusarium spp. causing this disease is not well understood. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive study spanning 2019 and 2020, collecting lentil seeds from 75 commercial fields across Montana, North Dakota, Washington, Idaho, and Ontario. Our analysis focused on both externalized and internalized pathogens, with particular attention to Fusarium spp., employing morphological and molecular techniques for identification. In total, 486 and 228 Fusarium isolates were recovered in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Predominant species included F. equiseti, F. acuminatum, F. oxysporum, F. tricinctum, F. graminearum, F. proliferatum, F. redolens, F. avenaceum, and F. sporotrichioides. Virulence studies conducted in the greenhouse revealed varying levels of aggressiveness among Fusarium spp., with F. sporotrichioides, F. oxysporum, and F. graminearum demonstrating the highest virulence. Further investigation into pathogen internalization within seed lots revealed that incidence was highest in the seed coat, followed by the cotyledon, with the lowest occurrence in the embryo. F. avenaceum was prevalently isolated from the seed coat, cotyledon, and embryo. Additionally, Fusarium spp. isolated from the seed coat and cotyledon exhibited higher virulence and greater diversity compared with those from the embryo. This study reports the first comprehensive assessment of both externalized and internalized seedborne Fusarium spp. in the NGP region. The insights gained from our findings will inform the development of targeted management strategies for Fusarium root rot/wilt, ultimately aiding in the preservation of lentil crop health and productivity in the NGP and beyond.