Phytophthora parasitica : a model oomycete plant pathogen.

Oomycetes are eukaryotic microorganisms morphologically similar to but phylogenetically distant from true fungi. Most species in the genusPhytophthoraof oomycetes are devastating plant pathogens, causing damages to both agricultural production and natural ecosystems. Tremendous progress has been achieved in recent years in diversity, evolution and lifestyles of oomycete plant pathogens, as well as on the understanding of genetic and molecular basis of oomycete–plant interactions.Phytophthora parasiticais a soilborne pathogen with a wide range of host plants and represents most species in the genusPhytophthora. In this review, we present some recent progress ofP. parasiticaresearch by highlighting important features that make it emerge as a model species of oomycete pathogens. The emerged model pathogen will facilitate improved understanding of oomycete biology and pathology that are crucial to the development of novel disease-control strategies and improved disease-control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]