Biotrophic Fungi (Powdery Mildews, Rusts, and Smuts)
Abstract
This chapter summarizes the salient genomic features of the three archetypal biotrophic fungal groups: the powdery mildew, the rust, and the smut fungi. It presents the major similarities and differences of these plant biotroph genomes with a special emphasis on genomic features that relate to their ecology. In the three groups of biotrophic fungi surveyed, past transposable element (TE) activity has differently shaped the genome landscapes. Another clear difference between these groups of biotrophic fungi is the number of protein‐coding genes. For obligate biotrophs convergent gene losses have been reported that may reflect their adaptation to, but also their dependence on, the phyllosphere. Rust fungi have probably evolved different strategies to drain nutrients from their hosts as smut fungi and powdery mildews. The elucidation and analysis of the genomes of powdery mildews, rust, and smut fungi has brought to light an incredible wealth of information.