Resolving Fusarium: Current Status of the Genus

Abstract

The fungal genus Fusarium is one of the most important groups of plant-pathogenic fungi and affects a huge diversity of crops in all climatic zones across the globe. In addition, it is also a human pathogen and produces several extremely important mycotoxins in food products that have deleterious effects on livestock and humans. These fungi have been plagued over the past century by different perspectives of what constitutes the genus Fusarium and how many species occur within the genus. Currently, there are conflicting views on the generic boundaries and what defines a species that impact disease diagnosis, management, and biosecurity legislation. An approach to defining and identifying Fusarium that places the needs of the community of users (especially, in this case, phytopathologists) to the forefront is presented in this review.