Phytophthora plurivora T. Jung & T. I. Burgess and other Phytophthora species causing important diseases of ericaceous plants in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Ornamental nurseries, garden centres, public gardens and urban greenery in the Czech Republic were surveyed in 2006–2009 for the presence of Phytophthora spp. and the diseases they cause on ericaceous plants. Diseased plants such as Rhododendron spp., Pieris floribunda, Vaccinium sp., and Azalea sp. showed various symptoms including leaf spot, shoot blight, twig lesions or stem, root and collar rot. Nearly 140 Phytophthora isolates were collected from symptomatic plants in different areas of the country. Of the Phytophthora spp. on ericaceous plants or in their surroundings, P. plurivora appeared to be the most common species. Herein, we focus on the most frequently occurring species, P. plurivora, and describe its morpho-physiological and pathogenicity features and confirm its identity based on ITS sequences of rDNA. In addition, we give a list of other Phytophthora spp. including P. cactorum, P. cambivora, P. cinnamomi, P. citrophthora, P. megasperma, P. multivora, P. ramorum, and P. gonapodyides that we identified on the basis of their cultural and morphological characteristics and DNA sequences. We also discuss their importance in cultivated and natural ecosystems.