Difference between revisions of "Phytophthora"
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[[File:Phytophthora infestans (Aardappelziekte).jpg|thumb|160px|left|Phythophthora infestans on potatoes, variety Doré]] | [[File:Phytophthora infestans (Aardappelziekte).jpg|thumb|160px|left|Phythophthora infestans on potatoes, variety Doré]] | ||
Phythophthera is caused by a genus of [[Oomycetes]] (water molds). Oomycetes are very similar to fungi but are in fact not and so are called pseudo-fungi. Approximately 100 species of Phytophthera have been described but there exist many more. | Phythophthera is caused by a genus of [[Oomycetes]] (water molds). Oomycetes are very similar to fungi but are in fact not and so are called pseudo-fungi. Approximately 100 species of Phytophthera have been described but there exist many more. | ||
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| + | When you are an organic gardener, there are a few things that you can do against this disease. For tomatoes, don't plant them outside but in a greenhouse and never spray water over the plants but only on the soil underneath. Some varieties of potatoes are largely resistant against phythophthera. Apply a rigid scheme of crop rotation. The spores can survive in the soil for at least three years, which means that you can grow potatoes on the same field only in the fourth year. | ||
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| + | Infections occur when the crop remains wet for at least four to eight hours, at a relative humidity of more than 95 %. Phytophthera usually strikes only when the weather gets hotter, which means that potato species that grow early in the season can be harvested before the plants are infected. But those early potato species are also usually more sensitive, which is why i plant several species of potatoes, some for early harvest and others, which are more resistant against phythophthera for winter storage. | ||
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Revision as of 06:41, 4 July 2012
- Other plant pests & diseases: Pests & diseases
The word 'phythophthora' comes from the Greek phytón (plant) and phthorá (destruction), so it means 'plant destroyer.' When Phythophthera is raging through your potatoes or tomatoes, you'll remember why this name was given to the disease.
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Phythophthera is caused by a genus of Oomycetes (water molds). Oomycetes are very similar to fungi but are in fact not and so are called pseudo-fungi. Approximately 100 species of Phytophthera have been described but there exist many more.
When you are an organic gardener, there are a few things that you can do against this disease. For tomatoes, don't plant them outside but in a greenhouse and never spray water over the plants but only on the soil underneath. Some varieties of potatoes are largely resistant against phythophthera. Apply a rigid scheme of crop rotation. The spores can survive in the soil for at least three years, which means that you can grow potatoes on the same field only in the fourth year.
Infections occur when the crop remains wet for at least four to eight hours, at a relative humidity of more than 95 %. Phytophthera usually strikes only when the weather gets hotter, which means that potato species that grow early in the season can be harvested before the plants are infected. But those early potato species are also usually more sensitive, which is why i plant several species of potatoes, some for early harvest and others, which are more resistant against phythophthera for winter storage.
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