Pythium volutum is a plant pathogen infecting wheat, barley, and turfgrass.

When creeping bentgrass is infected by Pythium volutum, areas of chlorosis, wilt and drought stress can be observed.

Because Pythium volutum is a root rotting pathogen, the ability of the creeping bentgrass to intake water is inhibited.

When soil and surface temperatures are high, the plant will display symptoms of wilt and chlorosis, ultimately leading to death.

[5] Fungicides work by killing the fungi and the fungal spores, effectively managing the disease.

Beginning with an already infected, dead plant, Pythium volutum enters its sexual stage.

These zoospores produced by the sporangia again use water and moisture to swim to openings or wounds in the bentgrass.

From this point, the infected plant will eventually die and the pathogen will again overwinter in the oospore structures.

This is when soil temperatures and moisture levels are optimal for spores to infect the roots of plants.