Host range and global distribution of Gaeumannomyces root fungi of cereal crops and wild grasses

Gaeumannomyces species ( Magnaporthales , Ascomycota ) occur worldwide as both pathogenic and commensal root-associates of cereal crops and wild grasses, meaning these fungi have considerable impacts on both arable and pastoral food security. However, as these fungi are obscured below-ground and difficult to work with, our understanding of Gaeumannomyces lags far behind that of many other plant-associated fungi lineages. This study has made use of the GlobalFungi database to address a fundamental question: what is the geographical distribution of Gaeumannomyces species? To align with up-to-date taxonomy, classification has been refined using evolutionary placement of sequences to a reference tree. This is complemented with a synthesis of host and lifestyle reports to survey the range exhibited across the genus and assess knowledge gaps. The resulting overview consolidates current knowledge to highlight the potential role of wild reservoirs in crop disease dynamics and identifies G. australiensis as a potential emergent pathogen in China.