First report on <em>Pythium myriotylum</em> as pathogen on duckweed (<em>Lemna minor</em> L.) in hydroponic systems in Germany

Abstract

Duckweed is a promising resource for future feed and food production as well as wastewater treatment. However, diseases and pests can critically limit the performance of the production systems. Patches of discolored and bleached duckweed (Lemna minor L.) appeared in hydroponic systems and spread rapidly through the crop. Pythium myriotylum was confirmed as the causing pathogen by microbiological and molecular biological analysis. This is the first report of P. myriotylum on duckweed in Germany. The result and possible countermeasures are discussed.

Keywords

• Hydroponics
• plant disease
• discoloration
• bleaching
• control
• water lentils