Novel Phytophthora and biodiversity impacts
Background
Phytophthora is a genus of plant-damaging water moulds
that are responsible for a number of notorious plant diseases, such
as potato blight. Three species, named ramorum,
kernoviae and pseudosyringae have recently been
identified in the UK affecting heathland plants. They are
believed to be non-native, and may have been introduced via
international horticultural trade.
Phytophthora ramorum and kernoviae can affect
a wide range of native and garden plants. Findings in the
'wild' in the UK were originally restricted to infections
of the non-native invasive species Rhododendron ponticum,
however it has now spread to infect bilberry and
larch. Larch is commonly planted
in forestry and has high direct economic value
across the UK. Bilberry is a native species and an
important component of many habitats such as
heathland. Laboratory testing shows that other native species
such as heather, cowberry and bearberry may also be highly
susceptible.
Once infections occur, they can spread very rapidly through
other susceptible species due to spore production. Larch
in particular produces very high numbers of spores which disperse
widely due to the height of the trees.
Further Information
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