Crop and Soil Science Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
Alessandro Infantino,
Alessandro Infantino
Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification of Rome, Via C.G. Bertero 22, 00156 Rome, Italy
Paul Okello,
Paul Okello
School of Agricultural Sciences, Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO 64468, USA
Oscar Perez-Hernandez,
Oscar Perez-Hernandez
School of Agricultural Sciences, Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO 64468, USA
Kristina Petrović,
Kristina Petrović
Maize Research Institute “Zemun Polje”, Slobodana Bajića 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Andéole Niyongabo Turatsinze,
Andéole Niyongabo Turatsinze
State Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Swarnalatha Moparthi
Swarnalatha Moparthi
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7613, USA
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.
