A case for conserving plant pathogens

A case is made for the counter-intuitive proposal that plant pathologists and pathological societies should consider development of policies conservation pathogens. First report Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, entitled The State World's Plants Fungi 2020, reviewed briefly. Next, reasons why take this seriously are outlined risks to pathogen diversity assessed. In section all follow, paper focuses on fungal (sensu lato) pathogens, although it suggested general principles developed apply most whatever their taxonomic status. There then follows an assessment native pathogens in functioning, stability, productivity unmanaged partially managed populations communities. It concluded there now compelling growing evidence very many do play a significant role. Also assessed, more briefly, actual or potential value human activities, such as selecting novel disease-resistance factors evolving wild crop relatives, developing novel, sustainable disease weed control strategies, use industrial processes, model systems research. New genomics technologies likely facilitate significantly study selection benefits ecosystems activities. Potential strategies including situ centres progenitors species, ex culture, spore, DNA, herbarium collections. these other areas pathology, citizen science research groups have potentially strong develop act upon