Ascomycetes
Ascomycetes are fungi that belong to the Ascomycota phylum. Some known members are truffles, yeast (both brewers’ and bakers’), and most of the lichens’ fungal half belong to this phylum. Most fungal plant pathogens are also part of this group. Since it comprises a wide range of species, this phylum has pathogens and several important species used in food and drink production, medical components, and antibiotics.
Ascomycetes are central in land-based ecosystems, as they’re decomposers and responsible for the renewal of organic matter. The pathogenic species can affect humans, animals, and plants, and in plants they cause apple scabs and blights, rice blasts, black knots and powdery mildews, among others. They’re usually either terrestrial or parasitic and are often spread by insects.