Aspects of antagonism by the mycoparasite Pythium oligandrum

Abstract

Pythium oligandrum was antagonistic towards Pythium ultimum, Mycocentrospora acerina and Rhizoctonia solani through an interaction resembling hyphal interference. The significance of this and of necrotrophic mycoparasitism are assessed in relation to the ecology of P. oligandrum. It is suggested that these processes are primarily mechanisms for effecting resource capture from less combative species; benefits arising from direct exploitation of host hyphae being of subsidiary importance.