Phylogeny and taxonomy of the downy mildews with focus on Peronospora

Downy mildews (DMs) are a diverse group of obligate biotrophic plant pathogens within the kingdom Straminipila. They cause significant economic losses in agriculture by infecting a wide range of plant hosts. Traditionally, species classification relied on morphological characteristics and host specificity. However, modern molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed the need for taxonomic revisions, particularly in the genus Peronospora, the largest DM genus with over 400 species. Recent studies have discovered new species and highlighted the limitations of traditional classification methods. This research aims to explore the diversity and evolutionary relationships within Peronospora using a comprehensive approach combining morphological and molecular data. The findings provide insights into species identification, host specialisation, and the need for further exploration of unclassified Peronospora species worldwide.