Comparative Review of Fusarium graminearum Infection in Maize and Wheat: Similarities in Resistance Mechanisms and Future Directions

Fusarium graminearum is one of the most important plant-pathogenic fungi that causes disease on wheat and maize, as it decreases yield in both crops and produces mycotoxins that pose a risk to human and animal health. Resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat is well studied and documented. However, resistance to Gibberella ear rot (GER) in maize is less understood, despite several similarities with FHB. In this review, we synthesize existing literature on the colonization strategies, toxin accumulation, genetic architecture and potential mechanisms of resistance to GER in maize and compare it to what is known regarding FHB in wheat. There are several similarities in the infection and colonization strategies of F. graminearum in maize and wheat. We describe multiple types of GER resistance in maize and identify distinct genetic regions for each resistance type. We discuss the potential of phenylpropanoids for biochemical resistance to F. graminearum. Phenylpropanoids are well characterized, and there are many similarities in their functional roles for resistance between wheat and maize. These insights can be utilized to improve maize germplasm for GER resistance and are also useful for FHB resistance breeding and management.