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Plant pathology

The rise of the hybrid fungi

Nature volume 405, pages 134–135 (2000)Cite this article

The evolutionary potential of a population is proportional to its level of genetic variation1, which is mainly generated by sexual recombination between genetically different individuals. But many fungal plant pathogens, including the infamous potato blight, Dutch elm disease and chestnut blight pathogens, are clonal or part clonal outside their centres of origin — that is, their populations have low genetic diversity2. Their evolutionary potential, therefore, is limited. Or is it?

Fungi from the same geographical area often exhibit strong genetic barriers (sexual or asexual) to interspecific hybridization. These barriers probably maintain gene combinations conferring optimal adaptation to the ecological niche13. They may also prevent the spread of harmful genetic elements, such as viruses, between species. Such barriers might not exist, or might be weaker, between fungi that have remained geographically isolated. So — in theory — there is a greater possibility of hybridization when fungi spread beyond their normal geographical ranges.

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Figure 1: Emerging hybrid fungal pathogens of plants.
Figure 2: Rust attack.

G. NEWCOMBE

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  1. Forestry Commission Research Agency, Surrey, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, GU10 4LH, UK

    Clive Brasier

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  1. Clive Brasier
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Correspondence to Clive Brasier.

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Brasier, C. The rise of the hybrid fungi. Nature 405, 134–135 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35012193

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