Synchytrium (genus)
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Author: M. Piepenbring
Source: Open Media
Synchytrium de Bary & Woronin 1863
This genus of chytrids contains more than 200 species of unicellular plant pathogenic fungi. The most important species is Synchytrium endobioticum, causing potato wart. Other species cause the formation of galls. All species form thick-walled and durable resting spores which can survive for many years and can spread with soil or plant debris.
Infected cells form groups of sporangia, called sori. The sporangia require water for germination and then release flagellate zoospores which can move through water. They are infectious and usually penetrate epidermal cells and develop inside the cells.
Two types of sporangia are formed. The first type are asexual sporangia and the zoospores they release transform into cysts. The second type are thick-walled and long-lived sexual sporangia. The zoospores they release are actual haploid sexual gametes which fuse and form diploid zygotes. These can again infect plant cells.
The following species are currently entered in the system:
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