A new species of Pythium producing multiple oospores isolated from bentgrass in North Carolina

Abstract

Pythium plurisporium sp. nov. was isolated from diseased roots and crowns of bentgrass (Agrostis palustris) from two golf courses in North Carolina. The species is distinguished from other Pythium spp., except P. multisporum, in the production of multiple oospores (1–6 per oogonium) and by the occurrence of some oogonia (ca 20%) with a distinctive pedicel with two to four swollen elements originating at varying distances below the oogonia. The development of two or three oogonia from the same branch of the oogonial hypha was infrequently observed (ca 2%).

Key Words:

• Pythium root rot
• taxonomy
• turfgrass