Survival of Phytophthora ramorum compared to other species of Phytophthora in potting media components, compost, and soil

Phytophthora ramorum, while thought to be primarily an aboveground pathogen, can be introduced into soilless potting media in the nursery industry as sporangia or chlamydospores and remain undetected while disseminated geographically. Inoculum of this pathogen, both North American (A-2 mating type) and European (A-1 mating type) isolates, was used to infest potting media components or soil, using either sporangia, chlamydospores produced in vermiculite culture, or dry infected 'Nova Zembla' rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.) leaf pieces. Vermiculite chlamydospore/oospore inoculum of P. citricola, P. cactorum, and P. citrophthora were included for comparison. Survival was determined monthly by leaf disc baiting or direct plating on selective medium. Results indicated that P. ramorum survived in most media components or soil for up to 6 months when introduced as sporangia, or up to 12 months as chlamydospores. However, it was not detected at all from infected rhododendron leaf pieces by either detection method. These results show that P. ramorum can survive in potting media if introduced as sporangia or chlamydospores, and accordingly the pathogen could be disseminated geographically without being detected visually.