A MaERF 110‐ MaMYB 308 Transcriptional Module Negatively Regulates Lignin‐Mediated Defence Against Fusarium Wilt in Banana

Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), threatens global banana production. Lignin reinforces cell walls against pathogens and lodging, yet its regulatory mechanisms in banana remain elusive. Through genome-wide association study (GWAS) of lignin content across 184 banana accessions, we identified MaERF110 (encoding an AP2/ERF transcription factor) as a key negative regulator. Overexpression of MaERF110 in banana and Arabidopsis significantly reduced lignin deposition, impaired plant structural integrity and enhanced susceptibility to Foc TR4. Integrative RNA-seq, yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that MaERF110 directly binds the MaMYB308 promoter and activates its transcription. MaMYB308 overexpression similarly suppressed lignin biosynthesis genes and compromised disease resistance. Mechanistically, MaERF110-overexpression plants exhibited disrupted reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, with elevated H₂O₂ and superoxide anion accumulation, reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and increased cell damage upon pathogen infection. We elucidate a MaERF110-MaMYB308 transcriptional module that represses lignin biosynthesis and disables lignin-mediated defence against Foc TR4. This pathway highlights dual roles for lignin in plant architecture and pathogen defence, providing targets for breeding resistant banana cultivars.