The Importance of Agricultural Fungi on Human and Animal Health: Case Studies from Grains

Fungi occupy many niches, are a major component of life, and contribute significantly to biodiversity. While fungi are rarely associated with human and animal diseases, they are often associated with diseases of plants as well as decay and nutrient cycling in the environment. Fungal diseases in agricultural crops can cause reductions in crop production and quality. In the context of human health, some fungi can also produce toxins that can accumulate in agricultural products, thereby affecting food safety and health. This chapter focuses on the complex interactions between fungi and agricultural crops in the context of human health, using fungi that infect and contaminate grain crops as examples.