Pythiaceae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pythiaceae

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

Scientific classification

Domain:	Eukaryota
(unranked)	Chromista
Phylum:	Heterokontophyta
Class:	Oomycetes
Order:	Peronosporales
Family:	Pythiaceae

Genera

See text.

Pythiaceae is family of water moulds. The family includes plant pathogenic fungus-like organisms in the genus Phytophthora; as well as serious plant and animal pathogens in the genus Pythium.

1 Lifecycle
2 Reproduction
3 Economic Importance
4 References

[edit] Lifecycle

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

Live as deadly parasites, causing some serious plant and animal diseases when terrestrial.

The diploid (2N) life stage 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 may germinate via a germ tube or by release of motile zoospores, depending on the species and the environmental conditions.

[edit] Economic Importance

Some Pythium species 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

This plant disease article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.