The hystory of studies on plant pathogenic fungi and their virulency interpretation

Abstract

Aim. Fungi as members of a separate life kingdom require original methods of investigation. Among them plant pathogenic micromycete drew considerable attention because of threat crop yield. To combat infection more knowledge is required on the pathogenic process. However, over a long research period even the definitions of “pathogenisity” and “virulence” as their main characteristics are often changed. Results. The review presents and summarizes the literature data, reflecting the development of understanding of host-pathogen interactions for the last century. Conclusions. Only due to molecular biology techniques the information on genes proven to affect the outcome of pathogen-host interaction has been catalogued as pathogenisity genes, virulence/aggressiveness and effector genes. Molecular methods used in fungal taxonomy also extend our knowledge of plant pathogen diversity.

Keywords: fungi, molecular methods, pathogen-host interaction genes, fungal systematic.