Phytophthora heveae

Phytophthora heveae is a species of oomycetes in the family Phytophthoraceae. It is a plant pathogen that primarily affects the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), from which it derives its species name.

Taxonomy

The genus Phytophthora belongs to the oomycetes, a group of fungus-like organisms that are actually more closely related to algae. The name Phytophthora comes from the Greek words phyto (plant) and phthora (destruction), reflecting the devastating impact these pathogens can have on their host plants. Phytophthora heveae is one of over 100 species in this genus.

Host and symptoms

Phytophthora heveae primarily infects the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), a species native to South America that is now widely cultivated in tropical regions around the world for its latex. Symptoms of infection include leaf fall, wilting, and the development of cankers on the trunk and branches. In severe cases, the pathogen can cause tree death.

Disease cycle

Like other species in the Phytophthora genus, P. heveae has a complex life cycle that includes both sexual and asexual reproduction. The pathogen produces motile zoospores that can swim through water to reach new host plants. Once on the host, the zoospores encyst and germinate, invading the plant tissue and initiating infection. The pathogen can also produce oospores, thick-walled resting spores that can survive in the soil for extended periods.

Management

Management of Phytophthora heveae involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include the use of resistant varieties, proper spacing of trees to reduce humidity, and the removal and destruction of infected plant material. Chemical control typically involves the application of fungicides, although the effectiveness of this approach can be limited by the pathogen's ability to develop resistance.

See also

• Phytophthora
• Rubber tree
• Plant pathology

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