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A selection of bibliography on the biodiversity and phytopathology of African fungi (– 1994)

Jean MOUCHACCA

en Cryptogamie, Mycologie 24 (3) - Pages 213-263

Published on 26 September 2003

The present selection of bibliography on the biodiversity and plant pathology of African fungi introduces around five hundred titles appearing up to 1994. Titles annotated are those regarded as being of marked importance in respective fields. Each comprises the relevant basic bibliographic details and, for most, a concise annotation on the scope of the research undertaken and the nature of the conclusion derived. Names of organisms involved in local pathologies are, in most cases, commonly underlined. Items selected proved to be of continental or of regional relevance or simply focus on a particular state. They were accordingly grouped following geographic or geopolitical standpoints. Continental and regional titles form a small group of over one hundred references; they are here proposed under the subheadings biodiversity and plant pathology. State restricted titles refer to around fifty countries including regional subunits as the Canary Islands and La Réunion. Grouping of references following political boundaries is expected to reflect local interest in fungi and in their detrimental activities. States reported are arranged in an alphabetical order but their individual titles were listed following dates of publication. This mode of presentation is assumed to favour a followup of progress achieved in the fields of fungal biodiversity and plant pathology. Twenty states proved to be respectively associated with five or less than five titles. The outcoming distribution of selected titles confirm more emphasis was awarded to the study of microorganisms affecting crops of economic importance with this being commonly achieved on a state level. The selection was prepared in order to draw attention to work of interest undertaken in the years before but more commonly after the second World War. This was generally achieved by overseas European mycologists and plant pathologists then established in several parts of the African continent. The period proved to be highly productive in terms of contributions on problems of plant disorders generated by fungi but less so on the distribution of the latter in the continent. This marked trend was, however, interrupted by the return of these specialists to their homeland after accession to independance of most-present day African states. Regain in fungal studies is now accomplished by local researchers though their individual numbers in these states is often very limited and sometimes inexistant. This critical annotated bibliography is expected to enhance African mycologists and phytopahologists to contribute to this type of basic scientific production.


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