Molecular identification and pathogenic impact of Pythium aphanidermatum on ginger (Zingiber officinale): insights into oxidative stress, antioxidant responses, and mycotoxin profiling

This study demonstrates that <i>P. aphanidermatum</i> infection imposes severe oxidative stress and physiological damage in ginger, as evidenced by elevated ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA), and disrupted chlorophyll composition. Pre-application of fungal crude extracts alleviated these effects, highlighting their potential role in plant defense. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of <i>P. aphanidermatum</i> and the phytotoxicity of its metabolites, laying the foundation for future studies on detailed chemical characterization and field validation.