Harnessing the fungal bioluminescence pathway for agricultural applications

The fungal bioluminescence pathway (FBP) is a self-sustaining, substrate-recycling luminescent system that offers inherent advantages over conventional bioluminescent tools. Recent advances in engineering have substantially boosted its light output, enabling the development of autoluminescent plants. Beyond future bio-lighting, FBP offers promising capabilities for biosensing and in vivo tracking in agriculture. In this review, we outline the molecular basis, technical progress, and challenges of FBP-based systems. We also emphasize the need for cross-disciplinary integration to overcome barriers to implementation and highlight the pathway’s potential to advance fundamental plant research and applied agricultural biotechnology.