New Phytopythium species associated with water and soil in Vietnam and USA.

Two new Phytopythium species, P. phamii and P. virginianum, are identified from water and soil in Vietnam and the USA, expanding the genus to 29 species.

• Why it matters: Understanding the diversity and distribution of Phytopythium species is crucial for managing potential plant pathogens and aquatic saprophytes that threaten agriculture and ecosystems.
• What they did: Researchers used morphological and molecular analyses, including phylogenetic methods, to describe these species, which grow between 7 and 35°C with specific optimum temperatures.
• The result: The formal description of P. phamii and P. virginianum aids in tracking geographic ranges and assessing emerging pathogen risks to crops and natural environments.