Stop fungal rot to save crops

More than 600 million people could be fed each year by halting the spread of fungal diseases in the world's five most important crops, according to new research. Data reviewed by an international team, led by scientists from Oxford University and Imperial College London, also suggest that in 70% of cases where infectious disease causes the extinction of a type of animal or plant, an emerging species of fungus is behind the problem. A report of The scientists behind the study are calling for new solutions to prevent the proliferation of existing and emerging fungal infections in plants and animals in order to prevent further loss of biodiversity and food shortages in the future. 'Crop losses due to fungal attack challenge food security and threaten biodiversity, yet we are woefully inadequate at controlling their emergence and proliferation. We must have better funding channelled into the fight against fungal disease,' said Professor Sarah Gurr of Oxford University's Department of Plant Sciences, an author of the study. Fungal infections presently destroy at least 125 million tonnes of the top five food crops - rice, wheat, maize, potatoes and soybeans - each year, which could otherwise be used to feed those who do not get enough to eat. These crops provide the majority of calories consumed by people.