Survival of detached sporangia ofPhytophthora infestans exposed to ambient, relatively dry atmospheric conditions

Abstract

The effect of duration of exposure, daily weather conditions, and exposure to direct or indirect sunlight on survival of sporangia ofPhytophthora infestans under ambient, relatively dry atmospheric conditions was evaluated. Viability of sporangia was assessed by determining the proportion of potato tuber slices or leaflets that became infected after inoculation with exposed sporangia. The maximum survival time of sporangia was 24 h under moderately cool (mean of 15 C) and dry conditions (RH < 25%). Sky conditions were sunny during daylight hours during this exposure. Infection seldom occurred when sporangia were exposed directly to sunlight; only 25 of 566 (4.4%) groups of sporangia caused infection. Of these 25 groups, 23 (92%) had been exposed to mean temperatures below 33 C for 4 or fewer hours. Binary logistic regression analysis of the data showed that duration of exposure, direct sunlight, and type of day were all significant factors affecting survival of sporangia. Long exposure in direct sunlight limited survival. Survival of sporangia was more likely to occur on cool, cloudy days and cool, rainy days than on other day-types.