Scientists warn that unless global interventions are executed to combat fungal infections, these diseases could lead to crop loss and threaten global food supply and security.
Fungal Infection and Crop Loss
Science Daily reports that despite the use of antifungals, growers across the whole world annually lose 10% to 23% of crops due to fungal infections. An additional 10% also gets lost during post-harvest. This was detailed in a Nature report.
Specialists think that these numbers could get worse due to the polar movements of fungal infections due to global warming. This would mean that other countries may see higher fungal infection prevalence that leads to crop loss and damage.
The Environmental News Network adds that infections of wheat stem rust have been reported in England and Ireland, despite their tendency to surface in the tropics. Experts also warn that the fungi's tolerance to higher temperature levels may also boost the chances for these soil pathogens to cross-infect humans and animals.
While fungal infections have become the focus in several shows, such as The Last of Us, the pressing threat brought about by crop fungal infection is related to global supply and starvation.
Global Food Supply and Security
A growing population equates to a growing demand. Consequently, the global food security may meet unforeseen challenges in the future. Science Daily reports that fungal infection leads to calorie crop losses that are enough to supply 2,000 calories to roughly 600 million to 4 billion people for a whole year.
Such a concerning trend may only get worse as global warming could boost the prevalence of these infections in European crops. The pathogens may also continue to become resistant to antifungal measures. Developing countries and the Western world may face catastrophic effects due to this pressing concern.
The report highlights factors that are fostering the rapid spread of fungal infections. These include the fungus' resilience, adaptability, capacity to unconventionally evolve, and even their capacity to evolve resistance to antifungal components.
Due to antifungal resistance, some farmers are forced to utilize higher fungicide concentrations in order to hamper infections. However, these measures are counterproductive as they boost the pace of resistance development.
While this news is extremely concerning, there is still hope in the midst of this global threat. Science Daily reports that back in 2020, a team from the University of Exeter was able to discover a novel chemistry that may enable a novel antifungal to hit various mechanisms. Because of this, it may be harder for fungi to become resistant to such components.
Agricultural practices may also play a crucial role. For one, seed mixtures with fungi-resistant genes can be planted. Technology for early infection detection could also be helpful.
Overall, the report authors stress the need for a more unified approach to combating this global food supply and security threat. The agricultural industry, biologists, policymakers, governments, and funders may all need to cooperate.
RELATED ARTICLE : Man Gets Infected by Silver Leaf Fungus That Typically Attacks Rose Plants; Case Is First Reported Human Infection, Specialists Say
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