The Dark Side of Ascomycetes
A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 9
Special Issue Editor
Interests: fungal diversity; fungal evolution; plant pathology; genomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce a Special Issue focused on pathogenic ascomycetes, lineages that cause devastating diseases in plants, animals, and humans, posing threats to food security, ecosystems, and public health.
This Special Issue aims to explore the biology, evolution, and impact of pathogenic ascomycetes from both basic and applied perspectives. We welcome submissions that provide new insights into their diversity, host associations, infection strategies, and control measures.
We invite original research articles, reviews, and perspectives on topics including, but not limited to, the following:
- Taxonomy, phylogeny, and systematics of pathogenic ascomycetes.
- Comparative and functional genomics.
- Evolutionary dynamics and the emergence of pathogenicity.
- Host–pathogen interactions and co-evolution.
- Mechanisms of infection and virulence.
- Invasive and emerging fungal pathogens.
- Ecology, distribution, and disease epidemiology.
- Diagnostic tools and control strategies.
We look forward to your contributions that will deepen our understanding of the “dark side” of ascomycete fungi and their global impact.
Prof. Dr. Sajeewa Maharachchikumbura
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- ascomycota
- phytopathogens
- emerging strains
- host–fungus interaction
- fungal lifestyles
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