Differences in root growth of Quercus ilex and Quercus suber seedlings infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi

In the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, Rands is causing irreversible damage to populations of the two most common species of , the holm oak (Â L.) and the cork oak ( L.). Although the symptoms are similar in the two species, the mortality rates are different. We found significant differences in the post-infection growth of the root system as a function of tree species, as well as initial plant size, and inoculum level. We observed a marked decrease in the growth of new roots in with increasing inoculum level, while in , we found longer but thinner roots with a moderate inoculum level. In both species, we observed a worsening in the water status of the plants from the lowest inoculum level.Phytophthora cinnamomiQuercusQuercus ilexQuercus suberQ. ilexQ. suber