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Presence of Phytophthora species in Swedish Christmas tree plantations

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Abstract

Phytophthora cryptogea, P. gonapodyides, P. lacustris, P. megasperma, P. plurivora, P. taxon paludosa and an unknown Phytophthora species were isolated from waterways and soil samples in Christmas tree fields in southern Sweden. In addition, P. megasperma was isolated from a diseased Norway spruce (Picea abies) plant from one of the fields in Svalöv. Inoculation tests were sequentially carried out with one isolate from each of the three species P. cryptogea, P. megasperma, and P. plurivora, all known pathogens on conifers. The same three isolates were used to study a few morphological features to confirm the identification, and temperature-growth relationships were carried out to see how well the organisms fit into Swedish climatic conditions. Seedlings of Norway spruce and Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) were inoculated in the roots and the stems. None of the isolates caused extensive root rot under the experimental conditions, but all three species could be re-isolated from both Norway spruce and Nordmann fir. Phytophthora root rot is currently of minor concern for Christmas tree growers in Sweden. However, the Phytophthora isolations from soil and water indicate the presence of this damaging agent, which may lead to future problems.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are much grateful to Håvard Eikemo, Erling Fløistad and Trude L. Slørstad at NIBIO for their valuable assistance, and to the numerous Christmas tree growers who appreciatively and graciously cooperated in this survey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P. O. Box 49, SE-23053, Alnarp, Sweden

    Martin Pettersson & Jonas Rönnberg

  2. Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, 2800 Faucette Dr, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    John Frampton

  3. Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, P.O. Box 115, 1431, Ås, Norway

    May Bente Brurberg & Venche Talgø

  4. Norwegian University of Life Science, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway

    May Bente Brurberg

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  1. Martin Pettersson
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Correspondence to Martin Pettersson.

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Pettersson, M., Frampton, J., Rönnberg, J. et al. Presence of Phytophthora species in Swedish Christmas tree plantations. Eur J Plant Pathol 153, 1221–1236 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-018-01638-2

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