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Fungi are the principal decomposers in ecological systems. These and other differences place fungi in a single group of related organisms, named the Eumycota ( true fungi or Eumycetes ), that share a common ancestor (i.e. they form a monophyletic group ), an interpretation that is also strongly supported by molecular phylogenetics .
Saccharomycotina include some of the economically most important fungi known. Members include species of industrial and agricultural importance (e.g. brewing, baking, fermentation of food products, production of citric acid, production of recombinant proteins, biofuel production, biological pest control of crops).
In addition, new data also suggests that AM fungi host plants also secrete chemical factors that attract and enhance the growth of developing spore hyphae towards the root system. [ 14 ] The necessary components for the colonization of Glomeromycota include the host's fine root system, proper development of intracellular arbuscular structures ...
An important ecosystem function associated with biodiversity is pest control. [23] Control species can suppress pest populations and reduce loss of crop yields without the negative impacts of chemical pesticides. [24] This has economic benefits and maintaining natural pest control is important to humanity's ability to grow crops. [25]
Of economic importance is Physoderma maydis, a parasite of maize and the causal agent of brown spot disease. [5] Also of importance are the species of Urophlyctis that parasitize alfalfa . [ 8 ] However, ecologically, Physoderma are important parasites of many aquatic and marsh angiosperms . [ 4 ]
Members of the Ascomycota form two important types of relationship with plants: as mycorrhizal fungi and as endophytes. Mycorrhiza are symbiotic associations of fungi with the root systems of the plants, which can be of vital importance for growth and persistence for the plant. The fine mycelial network of the fungus enables the increased ...
Fungi have appeared, too, from time to time, in literature and art. Fungi create harm by spoiling food, destroying timber, and by causing diseases of crops, livestock, and humans. Fungi, mainly moulds like Penicillium and Aspergillus, spoil many stored foods. Fungi cause the majority of plant diseases, which in turn cause serious economic losses.
By decomposing these molecules, fungi play a critical role in the global carbon cycle. Fungi and other organisms traditionally recognized as fungi, such as oomycetes and myxomycetes (slime molds), often are economically and socially important, as some cause diseases of animals (including humans) and of plants. [10]