What type of organism is the late blight of potato classified as?

Late blight of potato, caused by the organism Phytophthora infestans, is classified as an obligate parasite. This classification is appropriate because obligate parasites require a living host for their survival and reproduction. In the case of Phytophthora infestans, it derives nutrients and resources from infected potato plants, leading to disease development.

This type of organism is dependent on its host for completion of its life cycle and cannot live freely in the environment. Understanding late blight as an obligate parasite is critical for managing its impact since control measures often focus on preventing infections in host plants. This may include using resistant varieties, crop rotation, and applying fungicides, which specifically target the pathogen while considering its relationship with the host plant.

The other classifications—saprophytes, facultative symbionts, and endophytes—describe organisms with different ecological roles and life strategies. For instance, saprophytes feed on dead or decaying organic matter, while facultative symbionts can live inside a host but do not necessarily depend on it for survival. Endophytes live within plant tissues but typically do not cause disease. Thus, identifying late blight as an obligate parasite aligns accurately with its biology and ecological relationships.