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The Need and Opportunity to Update the Inventory of Plant Pathogenic Fungi and Oomycetes in Mexico
Juan Manuel Tovar-Pedraza1, Alma Rosa Solano-Báez2, Santos Gerardo Leyva-Mir3
1Laboratorio de Fitopatología, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Coordinación Culiacán, Culiacán 80110, Sinaloa, Mexico.
Abstract:
Mexico generates specific phytosanitary regulations for each product and origin to prevent the entry of quarantine pests and/or delay their spread within the national territory, including fungi and oomycetes. Phytosanitary regulations are established based on available information on the presence or absence of these pathogens in the country; however, the compilation and precise analysis of reports is a challenging task due to many publications lacking scientific rigor in determining the presence of a taxon of phytosanitary interest in the country. This review evaluated various studies reporting the presence of plant pathogenic fungi and oomycetes in Mexico and concluded that some lists of diseases and phytopathogenic organisms lack technical-scientific basis. Thus, it highlights the need and presents an excellent opportunity to establish a National Collection of Fungal Cultures and a National Herbarium for obligate parasites, as well as to generate a National Database of Phytopathogenic Fungi and Oomycetes present in Mexico, supported by the combination of morphological, molecular, epidemiological, pathogenicity, symptom, and micrograph data. If realized, this would have a direct impact on many future applications related to various topics, including quarantines, risk analysis, biodiversity studies, and monitoring of fungicide resistance, among others.
Insights
Mexico
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Mycology
- Phytosanitary science
Background:
- Mexico's phytosanitary regulations rely on pathogen presence data.
- Accurate data is crucial for preventing pest introduction and spread.
- Many existing reports lack scientific rigor, compromising data reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies on plant pathogenic fungi and oomycetes in Mexico.
- To assess the technical-scientific basis of current disease and pathogen lists.
- To identify needs for improving phytosanitary data management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies reporting fungal and oomycete presence in Mexico.
- Critical evaluation of the scientific rigor in cited publications.
- Analysis of data gaps and limitations in existing reports.
Main Results:
- Some existing lists of plant diseases and phytopathogenic organisms in Mexico lack a sound technical-scientific basis.
- There is a significant challenge in compiling and analyzing reports due to varying scientific rigor.
- Identified a critical need for improved data quality and management.
Conclusions:
- Establishing a National Collection of Fungal Cultures and a National Herbarium for obligate parasites is essential.
- Generating a National Database of Phytopathogenic Fungi and Oomycetes, integrating diverse data types, is recommended.
- These initiatives will significantly impact quarantines, risk analysis, biodiversity, and fungicide resistance monitoring.
