Activates the ATG1 kinase in a nutritional condition dependent manner through the TOR pathway, leading to autophagy (By similarity). Involved in ATG9 and ATG23 cycling through the pre-autophagosomal structure (By similarity). Also involved in cytoplasm to vacuole transport (Cvt) and more specifically in Cvt vesicle formation (By similarity). Seems to play a role in the switching machinery regulating the conversion between the Cvt pathway and autophagy (By similarity). Finally, ATG13 is also required for glycogen storage during stationary phase (By similarity). Autophagy is required for proper vegetative growth, asexual/sexual reproduction, and full virulence (PubMed:28894236). Autophagy is particularly involved in the biosynthesis of deoxynivalenol (DON), an important virulence determinant (PubMed:28894236). Hypophosphorylated form interacts with ATG1 to form the ATG1-ATG13 kinase complex (By similarity). The ATG1-ATG13 complex interacts with the ATG17-ATG29-ATG31 complex through direct interaction with ATG17 (By similarity). Does not significantly decrease the growth rate under nutrient-rich conditions (PubMed:28894236). Strongly reduces conidiation (PubMed:28894236). Causes only mild infection in point-inoculated spikelets of flowering wheat heads and impairs the spreading to nearby spikelets (PubMed:28894236). Reduces also strongly the production of deoxynivalenol (DON), an important virulence determinant (PubMed:28894236). Belongs to the ATG13 family. Fungi subfamily.