Most of the currently-proposed life cycle is based on that of Plasmodiophora brassicae, a closely related and better-studied protozoan.

This process can happen relatively quickly and can act as an important source of secondary inoculum within a field.

These resting spores have three-layered walls and are extremely resistant to the environment, allowing them to persist in the soil for longer than 10 years.

Spongospora subterranea pathogenesis is most effective in cool, damp environments, such as northern Britain, the Columbia Basin of south-central Washington, and north-central Oregon.

Upon release from resting spores, zoospores require moisture to swim towards the host tuber or roots.

Inoculum may be present but not able to disperse due to environmental conditions, and therefore does not reach host tissue to infect.

Other environmental factors that affect Spongospora subterranea infection are directly related to agronomic practices.

[11] It is thought that the fertilization increases root growth, and thus provides more tissue for infection and disease cycling to occur.

Also, reduced cellulose within the cell walls caused by excess nitrogen may increase susceptibility of host to infection.

It is apparent that the environment can directly affect both the host susceptibility and the dispersal of the pathogen ultimately setting the pace for the disease cycle.

[10] Zoospores infect the root hairs by attaching to the outer surface, encysting, and then penetrating the epidermis through lenticels and stomata.

[15] Eventually the gall swells and bursts out the epidermis of the tuber, releasing the spores back into the soil.

[16] Additionally, because soil borne inoculum can survive for years as spores, the pathogen is very difficult to eliminate once present.

In Great Britain a recent Potato Council funded diagnostic project discovered that as much as 82% of fields tested positive for soil inoculum.

Delayed planting reduces the growth period in cooler soils subsequently decreasing germination of the spores.

[19] Because soil-borne inoculum can survive for many years, crop rotations should involve alternate species that will promote a partial life cycle of the pathogen.