Managing Phytophthora ramorum in the Netherlands1

Abstract

Phytophthora ramorum came to the Netherlands in 1993. Despite initially not seeming to pose a high risk, findings in California showed its potential destructive impact on ecosystems. A programme began in the Netherlands to eliminate P. ramorum from nurseries and surveys in the natural environment were held to obtain information to determine a strategy for dealing with the disease. About 1100 nurseries are inspected annually by NAKtuinbouw under the auspices of the Plant Protection Service and measures are taken according to EC directives. The percentage of infected nurseries decreased steadily during recent years, from 4% in 2002/2003 to 0.5% in 2004/2005. Surveys in the natural environment show that P. ramorum occurs on 2% of the sites with Rhododendron and therefore it was concluded that an elimination scenario is not realistic. A programme based on containment measures supported by an extension programme was put into place with its effects being monitored by the Plant Protection Service. 12 years of observing P. ramorum show that the risk for indigenous trees and shrubs in the Netherlands is very limited. Spread from infected rhododendrons to other potential hosts, even at heavily infected Rhododendron sites, hardly takes place although some infected Quercus rubra trees have been found. Recently several new Phytophthora species were found in natural environments in Europe and California, mainly as a result of intensive P. ramorum surveys. As well as P. ramorum, the Phytophthora spp. P. kernoviae, P. numerosa and P. pseudosyringae pose risks, indicating the need for a more general approach against Phytophthora diseases. As a result, a new protocol for detection and identification of Phytophthora spp. both as a group and individually is being developed and workers are asking whether these Phytophthora species could be managed together.