Development of biocontrol methods against Phytophthora infestans using soilborne oomycetes and mycoviruses

Despite the prevalence of sexual populations of. P. infestans and survival in the soil in Northern Europe, our previous study revealed a predominance of Pythium spp. in potato fields. Pythium, a prominent soilborne pathogen, includes mycoparasitic species like P. oligandrum or P. periplocum, capable of parasitizing fungi and oomycetes. It’s important to consider the natural habitat of these organisms when developing biocontrol strategies. Novel approaches, like using mycoviruses, show potential against soilborne pathogens, but understanding their impact on the plant microbiome is crucial. Examining these complex interactions between the “main players” in the potato soil environment to find the complementing techniques is urgently needed to restrict the growth and spread of soilborne pathogens, as they typically have long-living resting spores that can persist in the soil for a long time.