THE FUNGI ARE EATING UP MY GARDEN

Por | By Oscar Castro Jauregui

April 08, 2026

The phytopathogenic fungi are those that parasitize plants and make them sick. They can affect different structures of the plant, deforming or even killing them. They have a significant impact on humans, especially when they parasitize crops that are essential to us, such as corn, sorghum, wheat, rice, potatoes, and tomatoes. They can cause a partial or complete loss of the contaminated crops.

Plants that are contaminated with phytopathogenic fungi must not be consumed, because some of the toxins that they produce are toxic to humans. Pesticides and fungicides are used to control the growth of
phytopathogenic fungi and are applied directly to infected plants. However, this has some negative side effects, as the phytopathogenic fungi become resistant to these agrochemicals. Additionally, they can contaminate the soil and water, and are toxic to humans and wildlife in general.

Most phytopathogenic fungi are microscopic, while a few are macroscopic. Some examples of fungus genera known for being phytopathogenic species are Fusarium, Alternaria, Trichoderma, and Ganoderma (Figures 1 and 2).