Editing Ascomycota (section)

=== Plant disease interactions ===
One of their most harmful roles is as the agent of many plant diseases. For instance:

* [[Dutch elm disease]], caused by the closely related species ''Ophiostoma ulmi'' and ''Ophiostoma novo-ulmi'', has led to the death of many elms in Europe and North America.
* The originally Asian [[Chestnut blight|''Cryphonectria parasitica'']] is responsible for attacking Sweet Chestnuts (''[[Castanea sativa]]''), and virtually eliminated the once-widespread [[American Chestnut]] (''Castanea dentata''),
* A disease of [[maize]] (''Zea mays''), which is especially prevalent in North America, is brought about by ''[[Cochliobolus heterostrophus]]''.
* ''[[Taphrina deformans]]'' causes [[leaf curl]] of peach.
* ''[[Uncinula necator]]'' is responsible for the disease [[powdery mildew]], which attacks grapevines.
* Species of ''[[Monilinia]]'' cause brown rot of stone fruit such as peaches (''Prunus persica'') and sour cherries (''Prunus ceranus'').
* Members of the Ascomycota such as ''[[Stachybotrys chartarum]]'' are responsible for fading of woolen textiles, which is a common problem especially in the tropics.
* Blue-green, red and brown [[Mold (fungus)|mold]]s attack and spoil foodstuffs – for instance ''[[Penicillium italicum]]'' rots oranges.
* Cereals infected with ''[[Fusarium graminearum]]'' contain [[mycotoxin]]s like [[deoxynivalenol]] (DON), which causes [[Fusarium ear blight]] and skin and mucous membrane lesions when eaten by pigs.
{{Further|Cyclaneusma needle cast}}