Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A species of water mold: Phytophthora infestans is a specific, scientifically named organism. It is an oomycete, or water mold, that acts as a plant pathogen.
   • The causal agent of late blight: This organism is the direct cause of the devastating plant disease known as late blight, primarily affecting plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae).

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The potato famine in Ireland was largely caused by Phytophthora infestans. (The specific pathogen is identified as the cause of a historical event.)
  • Researchers are studying the genome of Phytophthora infestans to develop resistant crop varieties. (The organism itself is the subject of scientific study.)
  • Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, can destroy a tomato crop within days. (The pathogen is named as the causative agent of a disease.)

Advanced Usage

• In agricultural science: The name is used precisely to refer to this specific pathogen in technical contexts concerning plant pathology, crop disease management, and historical agriculture.
  • The spread of Phytophthora infestans is highly dependent on cool, wet weather conditions.
• In historical context: It is used to explain a major historical catalyst, particularly the Great Famine in Ireland.
  • The introduction of Phytophthora infestans to Europe in the 1840s had catastrophic consequences.

Variants and Related Words

• Late blight (noun): The disease caused by .
  • Farmers are on high alert for signs of late blight in their fields.
• Oomycete (noun): The biological class to which belongs, distinct from true fungi.
  • Oomycetes like Phytophthora are often called water molds.
• Pathogen (noun): A general term for an organism that causes disease.
  • Phytophthora infestans is a significant plant pathogen.

Synonyms

• The late blight pathogen: A descriptive synonym identifying its primary effect.
• Potato blight fungus: A common, though technically imprecise, name (as it is not a true fungus).

Related Phrases

• Caused by Phytophthora infestans: A standard phrase used to attribute the disease to this specific organism.
  • The crop failure was caused by Phytophthora infestans.
• Infection of Phytophthora infestans: Describes the state of a plant being attacked by this pathogen.
  • The field showed a severe infection of Phytophthora infestans.

Related Terminology

• Plant disease epidemic: A large-scale outbreak of plant disease, for which is a classic example.
  • The history of agriculture includes several plant disease epidemics, such as that driven by Phytophthora infestans.
• Host plant: A plant susceptible to a pathogen. For , primary hosts are potato and tomato.
  • The pathogen requires a living host plant to survive the winter.

Noun

1. fungus causing late blight in solanaceous plants especially tomatoes and potatoes