The fungal threat to global food security. Issue 8 (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Avery, Simon V.; Singleton, Ian; Magan, Naresh; Goldman, Gustavo H.
• Is Part Of: Fungal biology. Volume 123:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 555
• Page End: 557
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Climate change -- Food spoilage fungi -- Fungicides -- Mycotoxins -- Phytopathogens -- Post-harvest losses; Mycology -- Periodicals; Fungi -- Periodicals; 579.505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2019.03.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1878-6146

Abstract

Abstract: Fungi threaten the security of food supply to human populations on several fronts. They destroy up to 30 % of crop products through disease and spoilage processes, while mycotoxin-producing fungi and opportunistic pathogens endanger food safety. Control of these fungi is vital for improving food security, but current measures are inadequate and further challenges due to human-population growth and climate change are escalating. Investment and innovation in research on strategies to control fungal growth, harnessed through international, inter-disciplinary collaboration across socio-economic boundaries, provides one key to rising to this challenge.