Between 10 and 23% of crops worldwide are lost to fungal infection each year despite widespread use of antifungals. An additional 10-20% is lost post harvest. Those figures are expected to worsen as global warming means fungal infections steadily move polewards. Growers have already reported wheat stem rust infections–normally occurring in the tropics–in Ireland and England. Tolerance to higher temperatures in fungi could increase the likelihood of opportunistic soil-dwelling pathogens to hop hosts, and infect animals or humans. Work is being done on a new type of antifungal but a worldwide effort to deal with this looming problem is needed.
news.exeter.ac.uk/uncategorized/devastating-fungal-infections-wiping-out-crops-and-threatening-global-food-security-experts-warn/