The genus Pythium in New Zealand

Abstract

A guide to methods of isolation and preservation of Pythium is provided.

A key to the 27 species of Pythium so far recorded from New Zealand is given. The following species are described and illustrated: P. acanthzcum Drechsler, P. afertile Kanouse et Humphrey, P. aquatile Höhnk, P. coloratum Vaartaja, P. debaryanum auct. non Hesse, P. echinulatum Matthews, P. inflatum Matthews, P. irregulare Buisman, P. middletonii Sparrow, P. rostratum Butler, P. spinosum Sawada, P. splendens Braun, P. torulosum Coker et Patterson, P. ultimum Trow, P. undulatum Peterson, and P. vanterpoolii V. et H. Kouyeas. The 10 other species, isolated infrequently in New Zealand, are: P. anandrum Drechsler P. arrhenomanes Drechsler, P. gracile Schenk, P. graminicola Subramaniam, P. intermedium de Bary, P. megalacanthum de Bary, P. monospermum Pringsheim, P. paroecandrum Drechsler, P. tenue Gobi, P. vexans de Bary, together wtth a new species which has been described elsewhere.

The status of Pythium species as plant pathogens in New Zealand is reviewed and all New Zealand host records are listed.

Keywords:

• Pythium
• isolation
• morphology
• taxonomy
• pathogenicity
• New Zealand