Survival of <i>Phytophthora cryptogea</i> and <i>Phytophthora cactorum</i> in Commercial Potting Substrates for <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> Plants

The international plant trade is considered to be the main pathway causing the spread of oomycetes internationally, especially when live plants are accompanied by soil or potting substrates. Modern, rapid shipping technologies, together with inadequate management practices in nurseries, increase the...

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Main Authors: Clara Benavent-Celma, Debbie McLaggan, Pieter van West, Steve Woodward
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-02-01
Series:Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/3/581
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author Clara Benavent-Celma
Debbie McLaggan
Pieter van West
Steve Woodward
author_facet Clara Benavent-Celma
Debbie McLaggan
Pieter van West
Steve Woodward
author_sort Clara Benavent-Celma
collection DOAJ
description The international plant trade is considered to be the main pathway causing the spread of oomycetes internationally, especially when live plants are accompanied by soil or potting substrates. Modern, rapid shipping technologies, together with inadequate management practices in nurseries, increase the probability of survival of plant pathogens and the subsequent chances of disease outbreaks in new locations. The survival of two oomycete soil-borne pathogens, <i>Phytophthora cryptogea</i> and <i>Phytophthora cactorum</i>, was studied in two different commercial potting substrates (peat-based and peat-free) in the absence of a plant host under simulated nursery conditions in a glasshouse for 21 months. Colony forming units (CFUs) of both pathogens were recovered 21 months after substrate inoculation, with a decrease in CFUs of between 92 and 99%, depending on the pathogen and substrate. <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> plants were then planted into these inoculated pots. After 21 months, <i>P. cryptogea</i> and <i>P. cactorum</i> remained capable of producing diseases in <i>E. globulus</i> plants, resulting in up to 30% mortality and an up to 5-fold greater disease severity. These results highlight the ability of these pathogens to survive in the absence of a suitable host plant in potting substrates over time and to then have the capacity to infect a plant. This research adds to the body of essential evidence that is required to develop meaningful management practices and potting substrates at the nursery level to minimize the risk of the spread of oomycetes through the international plant trade.
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spelling doaj.art-7a8fe5c84f824d119d17a3c4cdc2a4442023-11-17T09:00:30ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722023-02-0113358110.3390/agriculture13030581Survival of <i>Phytophthora cryptogea</i> and <i>Phytophthora cactorum</i> in Commercial Potting Substrates for <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> PlantsClara Benavent-Celma0Debbie McLaggan1Pieter van West2Steve Woodward3Department of Plant and Soil Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UKInternational Centre for Aquaculture Research and Development (ICARD), Aberdeen Oomycete Laboratory, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UKInternational Centre for Aquaculture Research and Development (ICARD), Aberdeen Oomycete Laboratory, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UKDepartment of Plant and Soil Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UKThe international plant trade is considered to be the main pathway causing the spread of oomycetes internationally, especially when live plants are accompanied by soil or potting substrates. Modern, rapid shipping technologies, together with inadequate management practices in nurseries, increase the probability of survival of plant pathogens and the subsequent chances of disease outbreaks in new locations. The survival of two oomycete soil-borne pathogens, <i>Phytophthora cryptogea</i> and <i>Phytophthora cactorum</i>, was studied in two different commercial potting substrates (peat-based and peat-free) in the absence of a plant host under simulated nursery conditions in a glasshouse for 21 months. Colony forming units (CFUs) of both pathogens were recovered 21 months after substrate inoculation, with a decrease in CFUs of between 92 and 99%, depending on the pathogen and substrate. <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> plants were then planted into these inoculated pots. After 21 months, <i>P. cryptogea</i> and <i>P. cactorum</i> remained capable of producing diseases in <i>E. globulus</i> plants, resulting in up to 30% mortality and an up to 5-fold greater disease severity. These results highlight the ability of these pathogens to survive in the absence of a suitable host plant in potting substrates over time and to then have the capacity to infect a plant. This research adds to the body of essential evidence that is required to develop meaningful management practices and potting substrates at the nursery level to minimize the risk of the spread of oomycetes through the international plant trade.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/3/581<i>Phytophthora</i>soil-borne pathogenspotting substratespeat-basedpeat-freesurvival
spellingShingle Clara Benavent-Celma
Debbie McLaggan
Pieter van West
Steve Woodward
Survival of <i>Phytophthora cryptogea</i> and <i>Phytophthora cactorum</i> in Commercial Potting Substrates for <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> Plants
Agriculture
<i>Phytophthora</i>
soil-borne pathogens
potting substrates
peat-based
peat-free
survival
title Survival of <i>Phytophthora cryptogea</i> and <i>Phytophthora cactorum</i> in Commercial Potting Substrates for <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> Plants
title_full Survival of <i>Phytophthora cryptogea</i> and <i>Phytophthora cactorum</i> in Commercial Potting Substrates for <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> Plants
title_fullStr Survival of <i>Phytophthora cryptogea</i> and <i>Phytophthora cactorum</i> in Commercial Potting Substrates for <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> Plants
title_full_unstemmed Survival of <i>Phytophthora cryptogea</i> and <i>Phytophthora cactorum</i> in Commercial Potting Substrates for <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> Plants
title_short Survival of <i>Phytophthora cryptogea</i> and <i>Phytophthora cactorum</i> in Commercial Potting Substrates for <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> Plants
title_sort survival of i phytophthora cryptogea i and i phytophthora cactorum i in commercial potting substrates for i eucalyptus globulus i plants
topic <i>Phytophthora</i>
soil-borne pathogens
potting substrates
peat-based
peat-free
survival
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/3/581
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