Abstract
ATTENTION was directed in NATURE of April 30, 1914 (vol. xciii., p. 226), to the discovery of a rather remarkable mode of development of sexual organs which occurs in certain species of Phytophthora, and was first found in P. erythroseptica and then in P. infestans, the "potato-blight" fungus. Several other species of the genus are now known to produce sexual organs in this novel fashion, in which the oogonial incept penetrates the antheridium at an early stage, traverses it, emerges, and then swells to form the oogonium proper within which the oospore ultimately develops. It was suggested then that those previously well-known species (such as P. cactorum, etc.) in which the antheridium and the oogonium lie side by side, and penetration of the latter by the former occurs laterally, should be excluded from the genus Phytophthora and be placed in a new one, Nozemia. A species (from decaying apples) has now been isolated by Mr. H. A. Lafferty, working here, in which the sexual organs are developed mainly according to the Nozemia type, but occasionally and simultaneously in the same individual according to the Phytophthora type, with amphigynal antheridia. This species, therefore, forms a connecting link between the two groups; and it would seem no longer necessary or desirable to retain the generic name Nozemia.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
PETHYBRIDGE, G. Sexual Organs of Phytophthora. Nature 107, 204 (1921). https://doi.org/10.1038/107204b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/107204b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.