Gaeumannomyces graminis, the take-all fungus and its relatives

J. Freeman, Elaine Ward

Research output: Contribution to journalLiterature reviewpeer-review

77 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Take-all, caused by the fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, is the most important root disease of wheat worldwide. Many years of intensive research, reflected by the large volume of literature on take-all, has led to a considerable degree of understanding of many aspects of the disease. However, effective and economic control of the disease remains difficult. The application of molecular techniques to study G. graminis and related fungi has resulted in some significant advances, particularly in the development of improved methods for identification and in elucidating the role of the enzyme avenacinase as a pathogenicity determinant in the closely related oat take-all fungus (G. graminis var. avenae). Some progress in identifying other factors that may be involved in determining host range and pathogenicity has been made, despite the difficulties of performing genetic analyses and the lack of a reliable transformation system.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)235-252
Number of pages18
JournalMolecular Plant Pathology
Volume5
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2004

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