Phytophthora

Book excerpt: This book begins with an account of the early history of Phytophthora research and the tumultuous events setting the genus in motion. In keeping with its controversial inception, the chapter on taxonomy and phylogeny makes a compelling case that our current notion of Phytophthora as a genus is illusory. This chapter sets the stage for the importance of molecular tools on these enigmatic pathogens. The following chapters discuss species identification, population-level investigation, interspecific hybrids and the impact of diverse Phytophthora species on crops, forests, nurseries, greenhouses and natural areas worldwide.