This virtual issue of Molecular Plant Pathology contains Pathogen Profiles of plant pathogenic fungi. Each review contains a brief summary, which can include pathogen taxonomy, life cycle and host range. Disease symptoms and strategies for disease management may also be presented. Useful websites are often listed here. Each review then goes on to discuss the particular pathogen in detail, presenting the latest research and strategies for future work.
Plant pathogenic fungi enter the plant to obtain food, which they are unable to make themselves. Biotrophic fungi colonize living material whilst necrotrophic fungi kill plant cells and harvest nutrients from the dead plant material. Many fungi have complex lifecycles with both sexual and asexual stages, which result in the production of spores. Once released, these tiny spores can disperse easily or reside in the soil for many years, putting subsequent crops at risk. |