Author
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Rossman, Amy |
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Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/2002 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Fungi are an enormous group of organisms that are united by their absorptive mode of nutrition. At present about 90,000 species of fungi have been described of which 1.5 million species are estimated to exist. If a plant pathogenic fungus were deliberately introduced into the United States, it would be necessary to determine its identity as rapidly as possible. Globally there are very few mycologists who can identify fungi. Most fungi on plants are microscopic and difficult to identify. Fungi that cause serious diseases of crop plants range from obligate parasites such as the rust and smut fungi that have a narrow host range to facultative pathogens that may attack a wide range of hosts and can be devastating to crop plants. Invasive fungi have previously attacked crop and trees in the U.S. including chestnut blight caused by Cryphonectria parasitica (Ascomycetes, Diaporthales), southern corn leaf blight caused by Bipolaris maydis (Cochliobolus heterostrophus) (Ascomycetes, Pleosporales), and striped rust of wheat and barley caused by Puccinia striiformis (Basidiomycetes, Uredinales). Introduced fungi also have the ability to hybridize with indigenous species as occurs in the fungi that cause Dutch elm disease. In order to ensure the biosecurity against fungal plant pathogens, an accurate knowledge of plant-associated fungi in the U.S. is needed. In addition, systematics expertise must be increased for important groups of fungal pathogens. |
