Forecasting infections of the red rot disease on Porphyra yezoensis Ueda (Rhodophyta) cultivation farms

Abstract

Pythium porphyrae is a fungal pathogen responsible for red rot disease of the seaweed Porphyra (Rhodophyta). Infection forecasts of Porphyra by P. porphyrae were estimated from the epidemiological observations of Porphyra thalli and numbers of zoospore of P. porphyrae in laboratory and cultivation areas. Four features of forecasting infections were determined by relating zoospore concentrations to the incidence of thallus infection; infection (in more than 1000 zoospores L−1), microscopic infection [less than 2 mm in diameter of lesion (in from 2000 to 3000 zoospores L−1)], macroscopic infection [more than 2 mm in diameter of lesion (in from 3000 to 4000 zoospores L−1), and thallus disintegration (in more than 4000 zoospores L−1). High zoospore concentrations led to more infection. The tendency that zoospore concentration of P. porphyrae increased with the rate of infection of Porphyra thalli was generally observed in forecasting infections in both the laboratory and in cultivation areas. Based on the Porphyra cultivation areas, the accuracy and consistency of forecasting infections suggest that this method could be employed to manage and control red rot disease.