oomycetes
/ˌoʊəˈmaɪsətiːz/
noun
- A group of fungus-like organisms that live in water or moist soil and can cause diseases in plants and fish.
- The potato blight that caused the Irish famine was caused by an oomycete.
- Oomycetes are often called water molds because they thrive in damp environments.
- Farmers use special treatments to protect crops from oomycetes in wet seasons.