Ganoderma is a genus of fungi belonging to the Ganodermataceae family and Polyporales order. Plant-pathogenic species in this genus can cause severe diseases in perennial crops and economically important trees, especially in tropical countries. Ganoderma species are white-rot fungi of substantial ecological importance in the breakdown of woody plants for nutrient mobilization. Lignocellulose-decomposing enzymes useful for bioenergy production and bioremediation are major constituents of their effective machinery. Furthermore, the genus contains many important species that produce pharmacologically active compounds useful in health, food and medicine. Information acquired from these studies has laid the foundation for the identification of genes involved in biological pathways that are crucial for understanding the biology of Ganoderma lucidum, such as the biosynthesis of active components, the mechanism of pathogenesis, life cycle and cellular development, etc.
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