Pythium is a genus of parasitic oomycetes. They were formerly classified as fungi. Most species are plant parasites, but Pythium insidiosum is an important pathogen of animals, causing pythiosis. The feet of the fungus gnat are frequently a vector for their transmission. [1]

Nov 21, 2023 · Root rot can be caused by several different species of the fungus-like organism Pythium. Penn State Department of Plant Pathology & Environmental Microbiology Archives, Penn State, Bugwood.org. Some species of Pythium are found in field soil, sand, pond and stream water and their sediments, and dead roots of previous crops.

Pythium is a genus with over 200 species found worldwide, some of which are residents of terrestrial habitats while others are aquatic. In terms of nutrient acquisition, species within the genus may be saprophytes, plant or animal parasites, or mycoparasites.

Dec 30, 2013 · Pythium is probably the most common plant pathogen associated with root diseases of potted plants. The genus is found in nearly all soils and even some potting media and has a worldwide distribution.

Plant diseases caused by Pythium are divided in two types: diseases that affect plant parts in contact with the soil (roots, lower stem, seeds, tubers, and fleshy fruits) and diseases that affect above ground parts (leaves, young stems, and fruits) (1).

Apr 23, 2019 · The main difference between Pythium and Phytophthora is that Pythium primarily attacks monocotyledonous herbaceous plants and some species of Pythium attack mammals, fish, and red algae whereas Phytophthora especially attacks dicotyledonous woody trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.

Pythium, genus of destructive root parasites of the family Pythiaceae (phylum Oomycota, kingdom Chromista). Pythium species have filamentous sporangia, smooth-walled spherical oogonia, and stalked antheridia.

Pythium is a soil-borne organism favored by excessive soil moisture. Spores are spread by contaminated soil, water, tools, and other implements. Pythium is a water mold, so it is particularly severe in poorly drained media.

Pythiums are probably the most common cause of seedling blight and seed rot in alfalfa, destroying seeds before germination or killing seedlings after emergence. Phytophthora medicaginis can affect alfalfa plants at all stages of development and is probably the most common root rot pathogen of alfalfa.

Jul 7, 2015 · Pythium spp. are soil-borne pathogens, so movement of infested soil or plant material can spread disease. This pathogen produces several types of spores, each with a slightly different function. Sporangia can either germinate and infect plants directly or …