Technical Abstract: This manuscript is a review of techniques used for identification and detection of Pythium species from environmental samples. The evolutionary relationships within the genus are discussed and put into context with traditional taxonomic classifications. Molecular techniques for species identification and population analysis are reviewed with the advantages/disadvantages of each discussed. A comprehensive review of the literature on molecular detection of Pythium species using polymerase chain reaction techniques (conventional and real time) is presented and the use of "next generation" techniques for simplified detection discussed.