Pythium Disease In Plants
Pythium is a genus of fungus-like parasites commonly known as water molds. These parasites naturally exist in soil and water and affect a wide range of hosts. They can survive a long time on decaying plant matter and be spread through water, soil, insects, and transplants, although their damage tends to be focused on the affected area and doesn’t spread as much as other pathogens. These parasites are highly dependent on environmental conditions to develop. A broad genus means broad preferences, so some have a high incidence in ornamental flowers and herbs, while others tend more toward crops. This makes them economically important since agricultural and greenhouse plants can be affected. They are hard to control in greenhouses that grow plants without soil and tend to affect mostly cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers.
