NEW HOSTS OF SOME SPECIES OF THE GENUS Phytophthora (Phycomycetes: Pythiaceae) IN MEXICO

Abstract

Some species of the Genus Phytophthora such as P. infestans, P. capsici, P. cinnamomi and P. parasitica are very well known in Mexico; others have been recently discovered, and many more will be discovered as their hosts are cultivated more extensively or introduced for adaptation in the country. Among the Phytophthora species recently discovered are: P. boehmeriae, P. cryptogea and P. drechsleri, attacking avocado (Persea americana), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum sp.) and gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii), respectively. In the present paper, damages caused by these Phytophthora species to their hosts are described as well as the morphological characteristics of the fruiting bodies (sporangiophores, sporangia and oospores) which made their identification possible.