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Questions and Answers
What pathogen causes White Nose Syndrome in bats?
What pathogen causes White Nose Syndrome in bats?
What is the estimated annual mortality of bats due to White Nose Syndrome?
What is the estimated annual mortality of bats due to White Nose Syndrome?
Which of the following fruit trees depend on bats for pollination?
Which of the following fruit trees depend on bats for pollination?
What is a significant agricultural concern related to monoculture?
What is a significant agricultural concern related to monoculture?
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In what year was the banana farm in Australia decimated by a fungal disease?
In what year was the banana farm in Australia decimated by a fungal disease?
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What characteristic of certain herbs aids them in producing fruit without fertilization?
What characteristic of certain herbs aids them in producing fruit without fertilization?
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What unique factor is noted about bat populations in Europe regarding White Nose Syndrome?
What unique factor is noted about bat populations in Europe regarding White Nose Syndrome?
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What caused the commercial extinction of the Gros Michel variety?
What caused the commercial extinction of the Gros Michel variety?
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What organism is responsible for causing wheat rust?
What organism is responsible for causing wheat rust?
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Which variety of banana was replaced due to Fusarium wilt?
Which variety of banana was replaced due to Fusarium wilt?
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What effect did breeding new wheat varieties have on wheat rust in the UK?
What effect did breeding new wheat varieties have on wheat rust in the UK?
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Which fungal infection is related to the asexual reproduction in wheat?
Which fungal infection is related to the asexual reproduction in wheat?
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What is the significance of barberry plants in relation to wheat stem rust?
What is the significance of barberry plants in relation to wheat stem rust?
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What is the recent trend regarding wheat stem rust in the UK?
What is the recent trend regarding wheat stem rust in the UK?
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Which strategy was effective against wheat rust for nearly 60 years in the UK?
Which strategy was effective against wheat rust for nearly 60 years in the UK?
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Which variant of Fusarium wilt is currently a concern for banana crops?
Which variant of Fusarium wilt is currently a concern for banana crops?
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What percentage of all plants engage in a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi?
What percentage of all plants engage in a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi?
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Which group of fungi is primarily associated with arbuscular mycorrhizae?
Which group of fungi is primarily associated with arbuscular mycorrhizae?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of mycorrhizal interaction?
Which of the following is NOT a type of mycorrhizal interaction?
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What is one of the main benefits of fungal secretion of glomalin?
What is one of the main benefits of fungal secretion of glomalin?
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Mycorrhizal fungi improve water and mineral assimilation by forming a zone of exchange. What do plants provide to the fungi in return?
Mycorrhizal fungi improve water and mineral assimilation by forming a zone of exchange. What do plants provide to the fungi in return?
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What does ISR stand for in the context of mycorrhizal fungi's role in plant immunity?
What does ISR stand for in the context of mycorrhizal fungi's role in plant immunity?
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How much does Botrytis cinerea reportedly cost the agricultural industry in yearly crop losses?
How much does Botrytis cinerea reportedly cost the agricultural industry in yearly crop losses?
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What role do mycorrhizal fungi play in carbon sequestration?
What role do mycorrhizal fungi play in carbon sequestration?
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Which of the following is a beneficial aspect of Botrytis cinerea in agriculture?
Which of the following is a beneficial aspect of Botrytis cinerea in agriculture?
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Study Notes
Fungi in Agriculture and Food Industry
- Fungi play a crucial role in agriculture and food production, both beneficial and detrimental.
- White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a devastating fungal disease affecting bats, causing mortality rates of 70-100% in infected hibernacula. The pathogen is Pseudogymnoascus destructans.
- More than 300 fruit trees rely on bats for pollination, including mangoes, bananas, and guavas.
- Loss of bats due to WNS impacts agriculture, as bats are natural insect controllers.
- Monoculture farming practices increase susceptibility to fungal infections.
- Bananas are a classic example; Fusarium oxysporum (TR1) caused a significant decline in the Gros Michel banana variety in the mid-20th century. The fungus spread globally and caused devastating losses
Monoculture and Fungal Infections
- Monoculture removes genetic diversity, making crops more vulnerable to fungal pathogens.
- Puccinia graminis (wheat rust) is a fungus that thrives in monoculture settings and caused significant wheat crop losses.
- Crop losses to fungal infections can reach $10 billion annually, a huge concern for food production.
- Botrytis cinerea, "noble rot", causes problems through both decay and desirable flavor development in wine grapes, resulting in significant crop loss in many locations.
Mycorrhizal Fungi
- Mycorrhizae refer to a symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi. The relationship is ancient, dating back 450 million years.
- 80 per cent of plants form mycorrhizal associations with fungi.
- Mycorrhizae dramatically improves plant uptake of minerals (especially nitrogen and phosphorous) and water.
- Different types of mycorrhizae include: Arbuscular, Ectomycorrhizae, Orchid, and Ericoid, each specializing in different plant types.
Fungi in Cheese Production
- Penicillium roqueforti is crucial for the maturation of blue cheese (like Roquefort).
- The fungus produces enzymes that break down milk proteins and lipids, generating characteristic flavors.
- The diversity of fungal species used in cheese production continues to evolve with new varieties appearing in the market frequently
Other notes
- WNS has not spread to Europe.
- Current efforts in crop improvement, and breeding new varieties and using antifungals, are helping to mitigate crop loss to fungal infections.
- Harvests also need protection from fungal contamination.
- Fungi play a significant role in a wide range of food production across many different types of products.
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Description
This quiz explores the critical role of fungi in agriculture and the food industry, highlighting both their beneficial and harmful effects. It discusses issues like White Nose Syndrome in bats and the impact of monoculture farming on fungal infections. Gain insights on how specific fungal pathogens affect key crops and the overall consequences for food production.
