Abstract

Verticillium wilt, caused byVerticillium dahliae, is a devastating disease that severely threatens cotton production worldwide. The long-term survival of the pathogen in soil and the limited availability of resistant cultivars make effective control strategies challenging. Although the fungal cross-kingdom RNA VdsR-1 has been reported to delay floral transition and prolong vegetative growth, the underlying plant regulatory mechanisms remain largely unclear. Here, we show that the transcription factorAtTOE1, a target of ath-miR172b-3p, displays altered expression in response to changes in ath-miR172b-3p levels duringV. dahliaeinoculation, coinciding with coordinated changes in plant immune-related and developmental responses. IncreasedAtTOE1expression is correlated with enhanced disease resistance, reduced pathogen colonization, and delayed floral transition. Furthermore, our results indicate that the VdsR-1/AtSPL13Amodule is associated with modulation ofAtTOE1expression via ath-miR172b-3p, suggesting the involvement of a cross-kingdom RNA-related regulatory framework linking plant immunity and development. Notably, this regulatory relationship is also observed in cotton, indicating evolutionary conservation across plant species. Together, our findings highlightTOE1as a potential integrator of defense and growth-related processes during pathogen challenge and provide insights that may inform strategies to improve resistance toV. dahliaein cotton and other crops.