Phytophthora plurivora

P. plurivora can be found in the soil and in plant tissues, can take different shapes and can move in water, since it has motile zoospores. During periods of harsh environmental conditions, the organisms become dormant chlamydospores. When environmental conditions are suitable, the chlamydospores germinate, producing mycelia (or hyphae) and sporangia. The sporangia ripen and release zoospores, which infect plant roots by entering the root behind the root tip. Zoospores need water to swim through the soil, therefore infection is most likely in moist soils. Mycelia grow throughout the root absorbing carbohydrates and nutrients, destroying the structure of the root tissues, "rotting" the root, and preventing the plant from absorbing water and nutrients, in some cases, leading to the death of the plants. Since it is a hemibiotrophic organism it parasitizes living tissues for a period and can continue its life cycle on dead tissues. Sporangia and chlamydospores form on the mycelia of the infected root, and the cycle of infection continues to the next plant.

Phytophthora species have been responsible for damaging several ecosystems. Recent studies are showing P. plurivora as the main organism promoting disease and for declining beech (Fagus sylvatica) trees in European forests, raising attention of main authorities in the area. The number of declining trees is rising over last years. It is still unclear how to effectively manage or control this aggressive pathogen in forest ecosystems.