Phytopathogenic fungi

Phytopathogenic fungi are a broad group of fungi capable of infecting plants and causing plant diseases. They include multiple genera and species with diverse lifestyles (e.g., necrotrophs, biotrophs, hemibiotrophs) and a wide array of pathogenic mechanisms. These organisms produce various enzymes (such as cell wall–degrading enzymes), toxins, effectors, and other compounds that disrupt plant physiology, promote colonization, or suppress plant immune responses. Notable examples include Magnaporthe oryzae (rice blast), Botrytis cinerea (gray mold), and Fusarium graminearum (head blight). Given this diversity, "phytopathogenic fungi" is not a molecular or biochemical target, but an ecological/pathological grouping.

Other names

Plant-pathogenic fungiPlant fungal pathogensPhytopathogens (fungal)