Species of Fusarium are world-wide in their distribution and may be isolated from soil and decaying organic material, particularly of plant origin. More recently the genus has acquired notoriety because of the ability of several species to produce toxic metabolites causing illness and even death in man and his domesticated animals. Members of the genus also play a role in the biodegradation of organic materials, in the post harvest spoilage of crops.
Some species are pathogens of insects and others arc agents of human disease and possibly allergies.
Although these activities reflect adversely on the influence of the genus on the well-being of man, some aspects of the biology and biochemical versatility of Fusarium may be turned to benefit. Pathogenicity to insects may be used to control insect Pests, a number of secondary metabolites are of commercial value, and the primary metabolism of strains of at least one species has been utilised in the production of microbial biomass which can be readily converted into a wide range of foodstuffs.