Nectriaceae

Nectriaceae is a family of fungi within the phylum Ascomycota, class Sordariomycetes, order Hypocreales. The family comprises a diverse group of dark-pigmented, filamentous fungi that form both sexual perithecial fruiting bodies and asexual conidial states. Members are typically saprotrophs or pathogens of plants, though some inhabit soil and decaying wood as saprobes or endophytes. The type genus is Nectria; the family also includes other genera, most notably Fusarium, which has a long-standing role in agriculture as a source of crop diseases and mycotoxins.

Morphology and life cycle: Sexual reproduction produces perithecia containing asci with ascospores; many species also produce anamorphic stages with conidia on phialides. The structures are often pigmented, and the colonies may show varied coloration.

Ecology and economic importance: Nectriaceae species are found worldwide in soils, plant debris, and on living hosts. Plant pathogenic species cause cankers, wilts, root and fruit rots, and vascular diseases, contributing to crop losses. Some members produce mycotoxins such as fumonisins, with implications for food safety and animal health. Others act as endophytes or saprobes and have been investigated for biocontrol potential or enzyme production.

Taxonomy and notes: The classification of Nectriaceae has been shaped by molecular phylogenetics and continues to be refined, with some genera moved between families within Hypocreales. The name derives from the type genus Nectria.