The genus Pythium (Pythiaceae (Peronosporomycetes - ex Oomycetes), Kingdom Straminipila) includes important pathogens, affecting a wide range of hosts of economic value, causing damping-off and decline of herbaceous and wooded plants due to rootlets rot. In order to acquire a more comprehensive vision of Pythium in Argentina, a review and an updated report of recent progress in this matter was carried out since the first reports in the late XIX century till October 2009. Information was taken from printed and on line primary and secondary sources such as Proceedings of national and international Scientific Meetings, Bulletins from National Institutions and Universities, periodical Journals, books and data bases. The information was analyzed and categorized, thus updating the number of species of this genus, their geographical distribution, hosts affected, and symptoms. So far 18 species have been cited affecting, 247 hosts. The greatest number of hosts is affected by P. ultimum and P. debaryanum, followed by P. irregulare and P. aphanidermatum. The diversity of Pythium species in the world suggests that perhaps a wider variety of species, still not cited, could be present in Argentina. Projects dedicated to surveying the presence and identification of Pythium spp are necessary.

El género Pythium (Pythiaceae (Peronosporomycetes-ex Oomycetes), Straminipila) incluye patógenos que afectan hospedantes de importancia económica, ocasionando damping off en pre y postemergencia de plántulas de almácigo y el declinamiento de plantas herbáceas y adultas por destrucción de las raíces absorbentes. Con la finalidad de conocer el estado actual de la información disponible sobre este género en Argentina, se llevó a cabo una revisión desde los primeros reportes a fines del siglo XIX hasta octubre de 2009. Se consultaron fuentes primarias y secundarias de información escrita y electrónica: presentaciones en congresos nacionales e internacionales, publicaciones periódicas nacionales e internacionales, boletines de instituciones y universidades, libros y bases de datos. La información obtenida fue categorizada y analizada permitiendo conocer el número de especies de este género, su distribución geográfica y por tipo de cultivos, relaciones hospedante-patógeno involucradas y la sintomatología observada. Se encuentran citadas 18 especies que afectan a 247 hospedantes. Un elevado número de hospedantes fueron afectados por P. ultimum y P. debaryanum, seguidos por P. irregulare y P. aphanidermatum. La diversidad de especies de Pythium en el mundo sugiere que un mayor número de especies podrían estar presentes en el país, siendo necesario su relevamiento e identificación.

Dieffenbachia picta ("comigo-ninguém-pode") é uma espécie difundida em todo o mundo devido ao seu valor ornamental. Na Argentina, é cultivada nas províncias de clima mais quente e nos arredores da cidade de Buenos Aires. Na primavera de 2007 um grande número de plantas apresentou sintomas de murcha e presença de lesões encharcadas (anasarca) nas folhas inferiores, principalmente em plantas de 4 a 6 meses de idade. Em seguida, constatou-se murcha da planta devido ao apodrecimento do caule e raiz. Um organismo peronosporomycete foi isolado de tecidos afetados. O patógeno foi identificado como Phytophthora nicotianae com base em características culturais, morfologia das estruturas vegetativas e reprodutivas, e testes moleculares baseados na sequência da região ITS do DNA ribossômico. Os testes de patogenicidade foram conduzidos e os postulados de Koch atendidos. Em estudos complementares, as variedades de D. picta Alex, Compact, Marianne e Camilla foram suscetíveis, enquanto a variedade Tropic snow (D. amoena) foi resistente. Este é o primeiro relato de P. nicotianae causando podridão radicular de Dieffenbachia picta na Argentina e nas Américas.

Dieffenbachia picta is a worldwide appreciated crop due to its ornamental value. In Argentina it is cultivated in warm provinces and in the outskirts of Buenos Aires city, where in spring 2007 a great amount of plants were lost in commercial greenhouses. Symptoms such as wilting and soaked lesions in the basal leaves began in four- to six-month-old plants causing plants to wilt due to basal stem and root rot processes. A Peronosporomycete was consistently isolated from diseased tissues. The pathogen was identified as Phytophthora nicotianae based on cultural characteristics, morphology of vegetative and reproductive structures, and on the analysis of the sequence of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Pathogenicity tests were carried out and Koch's postulates were fulfilled. In complementary studies, the dieffenbachia varieties Alex, Compact, Camilla and Marianne were susceptible to the infection caused by P. nicotianae, whereas Tropic snow (D. amonea) was resistant. This is the first report of P. nicotianae causing stem and root rot of D. picta in Argentina and in the Americas.

Fusarium solani was recorded in 100% of the commercial crops of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) located around La Plata (Argentina). The pathogen causes stunt and basal rot. A trial was carried out to analyse the F. solani soil density and its relation to the development of both diseases. Soil samples were analysed at three times: before transplant (October), at the beginning of flowering (January) and at the ending of flowering (March) of flowering. The incidence of each disease was evaluated in January and March, and the plants harvested were quantified. The soil density of F. solani was not altered during the three times for each treatment, and fumigants and steam decrease it significantly. In January the stunt incidence reached 0 to 9.5% with the fumigants and 31.4% with the steam treatment. In the control and fungicide plots, the incidence reached 87.9 to 100%, and a consequent reduction of flower production was observed. Stem rot began after the flowers were harvested as a result of pathogen entry through the wounds. The major values of harvested plants were obtained with fumigants (90.7 to 99%) and steam (76.8%), so the greatest stem rot incidence was 15.7 to 22.2 and 10.1%, respectively, in March, and the productive period was shortened. The need of reducing F. solani soil density before lisianthus transplant is emphasized. Among soil control treatments, Metham sodium and Dazomet could be effective substitutes for Methil bromide followed by steam treatment.

En cultivos comerciales de lisianthus de La Plata y alrededores (Argentina), se observó que Fusarium solani afecta al 100% de los establecimientos productivos provocando enanismo y podredumbre basal. Se realizó un ensayo para analizar la densidad de F. solani del suelo bajo el efecto de distintos tratamientos y relacionarla con la evolución de ambas patologías. Los análisis del suelo se hicieron en 3 épocas: antes del transplante (octubre), al inicio (enero) y al final (marzo) de la floración. En enero y marzo se evaluó la incidencia de cada enfermedad y se cuantificaron las plantas cosechadas. La población de F. solani no varió en las 3 épocas y se redujo significativamente con los fumigantes y el vapor. Esto determinó una incidencia del enanismo (enero) de 0 a 9,5% con los primeros y de 31,4% con el vapor. Para el testigo y los fungicidas la incidencia varió entre el 87,9 y el 100%, disminuyendo las plantas cosechadas. La podredumbre basal comenzó con el ingreso del patógeno a través de las heridas producidas por la cosecha. Ésta fue significativamente mayor con los fumigantes (90,7 a 99%) y también con el vapor (76,8%), produciéndose la mayor incidencia en marzo (15,7 a 22,2 y 10,1% respectivamente), reduciéndose el período productivo. Se destaca la importancia de disminuir la densidad de F. solani en el momento del transplante. Entre los métodos de control el Metam sodio y Dazomet podrían ser eficaces sustitutos del Bromuro de metilo, seguidos por el vapor.