Pythium fungi as cause of plant diseases
Pythium genus fungi cause wilt and root diseases in numerous plant species. These fungi infect plants through their root systems and the fungi remain potentially active in the soil for a long time as rest spores. The diseases the fungi cause are spread readily by their zoospores in hydroponic systems and in cultivation systems based on irrigation from below. Plants are most susceptible to Pythium infections in the seedling stage or later in the growing period in stress situations, e.g. when subjected to heavy crop stress or excessive irrigation. With cucumbers, for example, Pythium symptoms are identified by the color of the roots turning brown and the roots weakening, which leads to impaired turgor pressure and withering of the plant. Pythium fungi causing damping-off have the effect of killing plants in the germinating stage. The base of the infected seedlings turns dark in color, becomes watery and shrinks, and the stem of the plant then typically breaks and the plant wilts.
Symptoms of the root disease in greenhouse cucumber as caused by the Pythium fungus. The plant wilts readily, especially in sunny weather.
Pythium genus fungi cause wilt and root diseases in numerous plant species. These fungi infect plants through their root systems and the fungi remain potentially active in the soil for a long time as rest spores. The diseases the fungi cause are spread readily by their zoospores in hydroponic systems and in cultivation systems based on irrigation from below. Plants are most susceptible to Pythium infections in the seedling stage or later in the growing period in stress situations, e.g. when subjected to heavy crop stress or excessive irrigation. With cucumbers, for example, Pythium symptoms are identified by the color of the roots turning brown and the roots weakening, which leads to impaired turgor pressure and withering of the plant. Pythium fungi causing damping-off have the effect of killing plants in the germinating stage. The base of the infected seedlings turns dark in color, becomes watery and shrinks, and the stem of the plant then typically breaks and the plant wilts.
Symptoms of the root disease in greenhouse cucumber as caused by the Pythium fungus. The plant wilts readily, especially in sunny weather.
Symptoms of the root disease in greenhouse cucumber as caused by the Pythium fungus. The plant wilts readily, especially in sunny weather.
