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Invisible Invaders: How Soil Fungal Pathogens Threaten Our Food

Soil is living, with a rich ecosystem of microbes, insects and fungi that can help grow food. Many of these web-building microorganisms are beneficial but what makes soilborne fungal pathogens such a significant agricultural problem is that they infect plants, leading to plant diseases including rotting and wilting as well damping-off. These fungi debilitate the roots of plants and diminish their vitality by having spores, waiting to initiate under appropriate conditions. These pathogens not only cause losses of crops and quality produce but also create health hazards for farmers by producing allergens and mycotoxins. The soil borne fungi have an ability to survive in the soil and make difficult challenge to manage them vital for sustainable agriculture and food security.