New pests and diseases: Sudden oak death syndrome fells 3 oak species

Garbelotto, M; Rizzo, D; Svihra, P

New pests and diseases: Sudden oak death syndrome fells 3 oak species

Authors

Matteo Garbelotto
David M. Rizzo
Pavel Svihra

Publication Information

Hilgardia 55(1):9-19. DOI:10.3733/ca.v055n01p9. January 2001.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

“Sudden oak death” refers to a complex set of symptoms that has already culminated in the death of tens of thousands of California oak trees. Now confirmed in seven coastal counties, SOD attacks California tanoak, coast live oak and California black oak. Although several fungal species and the western oak bark beetle and ambrosia beetles have been associated with the syndrome, we now have solid evidence that a newly discovered Phytophthora species is the primary causal agent.

This Phytophthora species was recently isolated in rhododendron as well; it may be the same species that was isolated, but not described, on rhododendrons in Germany in 1993. The discovery of SOD on rhododendron has serious implications. The disease may well be present at the ecosystem scale, and its appearance on an ornamental plant suggests the possibility of wider dissemination.

A team of UC scientists has developed an integrated approach to managing this disease, including practices to enhance tree health. Early disease detection and targeted chemical treatment may also hold some promise for disease management. In addition, we have developed a molecular probe that will enable rapid identification of SOD from any infected part of the plant. Ultimately, the fate of the oak species affected by SOD will be determined by the levels of disease resistance present in natural populations of these trees.

References

Brasier CM, Robredo F, Ferraz JFP. Evidence for Phytophthora cinnamomi involvement in Iberian oak decline. Plant Pathology (Oxford). 1993. 42((1)):140-5. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3059.1993.tb01482.x

Browne GT, Viveros M. Chemical management of lethal Phytophthora cankers on almond. Phytopathology. 2000. 90:S10-

Erwin DC, Ribeiro OK. Phytophthora Diseases Worldwide. 1996. St. Paul, MN: American Phytopathological Society.

Fernandez-Escobar FJBR, Gallego M, Benlloch M, et al. Treatment of oak decline using pressurized injection capsules of antifungal materials. European J Forest Pathology. 1999. 29((1)):29-38. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0329.1999.00127.x

Guest DI, Pegg KG, Whiley AW, et al. Control of Phytophthora diseases of tree crops using trunk-injected phosphonates. Hort Reviews. 1995. 17:299-330.

Jung T, Cooke DEL, Blaschke H, et al. Phytophthora quercina sp. nov., causing root rot of European oaks. Mycological Research. 1999. 103:785-98. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0953756298007734

McPherson B, Wood DL, Storer AJ, et al. Oak Mortality Syndrome: Sudden Death of Oaks and Tanoak. Calif Dept Forestry and Fire Protection. 2000. Tree Note # 26

Osterbauer NK, Salisbury T, French DW, et al. Propiconazole as a treatment for oak wilt in Quercus alba and Q. macrocarpa. J Arboriculture. 1994. 20((3)):202-

Svihra P. Sudden death of Tanoak, Lithocarpus densflora. Pest Alert #1 1999. 2. UC Cooperative Extension

Svihra P. Protecting Live Oaks Against Bark Beetles and Ambrosia Beetles. Pest Alert #3B 2000. 4. UC Cooperative Extension, Marin County

Tainter FH, O'Brien JG, Hernandez A, et al. Phytophthora cinnamomi as a cause of oak mortality in the state of Colima, Mexico. Plant Disease. 2000. 84:394-8. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS.2000.84.4.394

Also in this issue:

Competitive interactions among endophagous parasitoids of potato tuberworm larvae in Southern California

Sudden oak death spurs massive team effort

Letters

Science briefs

New pest management center based at UC Davis

Oak killer found in rhododendrons

Almond advertising yields net benefits to growers

Peach trees perform similarly despite different irrigation scheduling methods

Soil properties change in no-till tomato production

Combining bensulide and pendimethalin controls weeds in onions

Table grapes suffer water loss, stem browning during cooling delays

First-grade gardeners more likely to taste vegetables