Espécies fitopatogênicas de Phytophthora

Abstract

The genus Phytophthora accommodates six of the ten species of oomycetes listed as the most important for their destructive potential to agriculture. Phytopathogens of this genus attack a wide range of hosts, where they cause seed and root rot, seedling damping off, collar, tuber and rhizome rot and soft rot in fruits in contact with the soil. Although they are basically considered soil pathogens, some species can attack the aerial part of their hosts and cause leaf blight and fruit, stem and flower rot. The management of diseases caused by Phytophthora spp. can be difficult because it is an inhabitant of the soil where it survives for long periods through resistance structures and because of its polyphagous nature. Since the first description of the genus, almost a century and a half ago, this oomycete has been widely studied, with significant advances in the understanding of biology, physiology and genetic variability. More recently, with the use of genomic sequencing techniques, it has been possible to establish the phylogenetic relationships of Phytophthora spp. with other organisms at different taxonomic levels. These studies continue to expand widely, as organisms are constantly exposed to evolutionary processes. In this sense, with the advances in the use of molecular markers, it has been possible to identify new species, phytopathogens and inhabitants of aquatic and forest environments, and also to resolve some species complexes. This review aimed to compile the state of the art of the advances obtained in the studies of Phytophthora spp., focusing on research collaboration in understanding the pathosystems involving this genus in the main species of cultivated plants