Explanation – The rapid growth of bread mold on forgotten bread is primarily due to asexual reproduction, where a single fungus can produce large numbers of offspring quickly and without the need for a mate. Bread mold, also known as Rhizopus, is a common mold that grows on bread and other starchy foods. It reproduces asexually through a process called sporangium formation, where the mold produces spores that can spread and grow into new mold colonies.

Scientists have recently discovered a new species of fungus in Kerala, named ‘Paramyrothecium indicum’. It is a new species of phytopathogenic fungus. Phytopathogens are parasites that thrive on a host plant. Phytopathogen fungi are responsible for serious plant diseases which might negatively affect crop productivity.

Source: Forum IAS