What’s in News:

• Athelia rolfsii, a soil-borne fungal pathogen, is a major threat to several crops and was found in jackfruit samples
  • A fungus is a primitive organism and a member of the group of eukaryotic organisms). Mushrooms, yeast, mold and mildew are examples. Fungi live in air, in soil, on plants and in water. Some live in the human body. Only about half of all types of fungi are harmful.
• Athelia rolfsii is a soil-borne fungal pathogen with a wide host range which attacks various commercially cultivated crops belonging to different families. But this is the first time it is being reported in jackfruit in the country.

Why in News:

• Researchers at the Integrated Farming Systems Research Station (IFSRS), a Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), have reported the emergence of a new fungal disease in jackfruit.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/new-fungal-disease-detected-in-jackfruit/article65674541.ece