definitions

phytophthora

[ fahy-tof-ther-uh ]
/ faɪˈtɒf θər ə /
|

noun

any of a group of fungi of the genus Phytophthora, which cause a serious plant disease, especially affecting apple and pear trees and potatoes.

Nearby words

phytonutrient, phytopathology, phytophagous, phytophlyctodermatitis, phytophotodermatitis, phytophthora, phytoplankton, phytoplasm, phytoplasma, phytoremediation, phytosanitary

Origin of phytophthora

< New Latin (1876), equivalent to Greek phyto- phyto- + -phthora, feminine of -phthoros, verbid of phtheírein to destroy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for phytophthora

  • Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans) is the same fungus as the late blight of potatoes, affecting both foliage and fruit.

    The Tomato|Paul Work

  • Among them are the vine mildew (Peronospora viticola) (Fig. 35), the potato fungus (Phytophthora infestans), and many others.

    Elements of Structural and Systematic Botany|Douglas Houghton Campbell

  • We must remember that prior to 1860 the life-history of Phytophthora was not known.

    Disease in Plants|H. Marshall Ward