Pythiaceae

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Pythiaceae is family of water moulds.

Water mould - Phytophthora forms: A: Sporangia. B: Zoo pore. C: Chlamydospore. D: Oospore.

Includes the infamous fungi Phytopthora, the "plant-killer"; and, the serious plant pathogen, Pythium.

[edit] Lifecycle

• Live on land (terrestrial), and in water (aquatic), and a combination of the two, (amphibious)

• Live as deadly parasites, causing some of the more serious plant diseases when terrestrial.

• The diploid (2N) lifestage predominates, with a short haplophase initiated during sexual reproduction as well as asexual reproduction (homothallism predominates in the Family) to fuse gametes.

[edit] Reproduction

• The sporangia germinate via a germ tube, rather than by release of zoospores

[edit] Economic Importance

• This plant has been known to cause "damping-off" diseases in young plants (seedlings).

[edit] References

• C.J. Alexopolous, Charles W. Mims, M. Blackwell et. al., Introductory Mycology, 4^th ed. (John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken NJ, 2004) ISBN: 0-471-52229-5