Survey of Oregon Nurseries and Other Commodities for Phytophthora ramorum
N.K. Osterbauer1, L. Rehms2, and J. Hedberg2
Phytophthora ramorum is established in 12 coastal counties in California and has also been detected (and targeted for eradication) in a limited area in Curry County, Oregon. This pathogen has a wide host range that includes at least 17 naturally infected host species in 10 different plant families. Many of these hosts are important parts of Oregon's various agricultural industries. In response to this threat, the Oregon Department of Agriculture has conducted a detection survey for P. ramorum in Oregon nurseries, plantations, and "high risk" sites (e.g., botanical gardens) for the past two years. Susceptible host plants at each site were visually surveyed and samples collected from symptomatic plants. The samples were then processed in the laboratory using standard isolation techniques and analyzed for the presence of P. ramorum. In 2001, 69 nurseries and "high risk" sites were visually surveyed for P. ramorum and a total of 2,657 samples collected and analyzed. Phytophthora ramorum was not recovered from any of the samples submitted. Other Phytophthora species were detected at 30 of the sites surveyed. In 2002, 98 nurseries, plantations, and "high risk" sites were visually surveyed for P. ramorum with a total of 3,927 samples collected and analyzed. Once again, no P. ramorum was found. However, like last year, other Phytophthora species were detected at 20 of the sites surveyed. Based upon these results, Oregon nurseries, plantations, and "high risk" sites remain apparently free of P. ramorum.
1Plant Division, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Salem, OR 97301; (503) 986-4666; nosterba@oda.state.or.us
2Plant Division, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Salem, OR 97301
|
