ABSTRACTFusarium sacchariis one of the primary pathogens causing Pokkah Boeng disease (PBD) in sugarcane in China. Pectate lyases (PL), which play a critical role in pectin degradation and fungal virulence, have been extensively studied in major bacterial and fungal pathogens of a wide range of plant species. However, only a few PLs have been functionally investigated. In this study, we analyzed the function of the pectate lyase gene,FsPL, fromF. sacchari. FsPLis a key virulence factor ofF. sacchariand can induce plant cell death.FsPLalso triggers the pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI) response inNicotiana benthamiana, as reflected by increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, electrolyte leakage, and callose accumulation, as well as the upregulation of defense response genes. In addition, our study also found that the signal peptide ofFsPLwas necessary for induced cell death and PTI responses. Virus-induced gene silencing showed thatFsPL-induced cell death inNicotiana benthamianawas mediated by leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptor-like kinases BAK1 and SOBIR1. Thus,FsPLmay not only be a critical virulence factor forF. saccharibut may also induce plant defense responses. These findings provide new insights into the functions of pectate lyase in host-pathogen interactions.IMPORTANCEPokkah Boeng disease (PBD) is one of the main diseases affecting sugarcane in China, seriously damaging sugarcane production and economic development. Therefore, it is important to clarify the pathogenic mechanisms of this disease and to provide a theoretical basis for the breeding of PBD-resistant sugarcane strains. The present study aimed to analyze the function ofFsPL, a recently identified pectate lyase gene fromF. sacchari.FsPLis a key virulence factor ofF. saccharithat induces plant cell death. Our results provide new insights into the function of pectate lyase in host-pathogen interactions.