Integrated transcriptomics and lipidomics provide insights into the stage-specific antifungal mechanisms of eugenol against Fusarium graminearum

Fusarium graminearum poses a major threat to global grain production due to its pathogenicity and mycotoxin contamination. This study explored the antifungal effects and characterized molecular alterations of eugenol, a plant-derived phenolic compound, against F. graminearum . An integrated multi-omics strategy combining transcriptomic and lipidomic analyses was employed to characterize stage-specific responses of conidia and mycelia to eugenol, complemented by phenotypic and biochemical assays. Eugenol exhibited pronounced dose-dependent antifungal activity, accompanied by compromised cellular integrity and disruption of lipid homeostasis. Notably, its mode of action displayed clear developmental specificity. In the conidial stage, eugenol may interfere with phosphatidylcholine transport and membrane lipid remodeling, potentially limiting the membrane supply required for polarized growth. In contrast, during the mycelial stage, eugenol exposure correlated with the induction of peroxisome-associated lipid catabolism and stress responses, likely resulting in metabolic imbalance and growth suppression. Collectively, these findings delineate a stage-specific landscape of F. graminearum responses to eugenol and propose a hypothetical model centered on lipid metabolic disruption, supporting the further development of eugenol-based antifungal strategies for controlling F. graminearum .