Population Genomics of Fungal Pathogens and Host Plants
Summary
Population genomics of fungal pathogens and their host plants integrates high‐throughput sequencing with ecological and evolutionary frameworks to reveal how fungal populations diversify, adapt and spread in response to host genetics and environmental factors. By analysing genome‐wide single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), researchers map population structure, infer demographic histories and identify loci under selection. Insights into gene flow, reproductive modes and phylogeographic patterns elucidate the mechanisms of host specificity, disease emergence and co‐evolutionary dynamics. This approach has global significance for understanding the impact of climate change, agricultural practices and invasive species on plant health. It underpins practical applications in disease surveillance, breeding for resistance and sustainable management of natural and crop ecosystems.
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Population Genomics of Fungal Pathogens and Host Plants publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in population genomics of fungal pathogens and host plants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Population genomics: Analysis of genetic variation across whole genomes to infer evolutionary processes in populations.
Single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP): A variation at a single position in the DNA sequence among individuals of a species.
Phylogeography: The study of historical and geographic distribution of genetic lineages within species.
Demographic bottleneck: A sharp reduction in population size that leads to loss of genetic diversity.
Isolation by distance: A pattern in which genetic differentiation increases with geographic separation due to limited dispersal.
References
- Genetic diversity and population structure of Epichloë fungal pathogens of plants in natural ecosystems. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2023).
- Contrasting demographic histories revealed in two invasive populations of the dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans. Molecular Ecology (2021).
- Glacial Refugia in Pathogens: European Genetic Structure of Anther Smut Pathogens on Silene latifolia and Silene dioica. PLOS Pathogens (2010).
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