The Phytophthora invasion sequence from zoospore to appressorium

Summary

Phytophthora species are devastating plant pathogens that cause significant yield losses in agriculture and affect natural vegetation. They grow as filaments and spread through motile zoospores that actively seek out host plants to infect. Encysted zoospores germinate and the germ tube tips form an appressorium to penetrate the plant. In this study, we used microscopy to examine how Phytophthora invades plants. High-speed microscopy revealed how zoospores respond to plant compounds, while fluorescence microscopy showed how microtubules contribute to nuclear positioning in the germ tube. Additionally, we used an artificial host mimic to analyse Phytophthora’s unique invasion mechanism. Finally, we developed a microscopy-based screening method for testing the effects of new crop protection products on cyst germination and germ tube growth. The findings improve our understanding of the Phytophthora invasion sequence and contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable disease control strategies.