Open AccessF usarium culmorum : causal agent of foot and root rot and head blight on wheat
Author(s) -
Scherm Barbara,
Balmas Virgilio,
Spanu Francesca,
Pani Giovanna,
Delogu Giovanna,
Pasquali Matias,
Migheli Quirico
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
molecular plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1364-3703
pISSN - 1464-6722
DOI - 10.1111/mpp.12011
Subject(s) - fusarium culmorum , biology , root rot , fusarium , botany , conidium
Fusarium culmorum is a ubiquitous soil-borne fungus able to cause foot and root rot and Fusarium head blight on different small-grain cereals, in particular wheat and barley. It causes significant yield and quality losses and results in contamination of the grain with mycotoxins. This review summarizes recent research activities related to F. culmorum, including studies into its population diversity, mycotoxin biosynthesis, mechanisms of pathogenesis and resistance, the development of diagnostic tools and preliminary genome sequence surveys. We also propose potential research areas that may expand our basic understanding of the wheat-F. culmorum interaction and assist in the management of the disease caused by this pathogen.