New disease warning! Imagine a world without oregano. Or celery. Or sage. Or chrysanthemums. It could happen. There is a new plant disease on the horizon. Its name is Phytophthora tentaculata.
Just because this disease is tricky to pronounce (Fie-TOF-ther-uh), doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Its name is Greek phytón (plant) and phthorá (destruction), so the name phytophthora means plant-destroyer. (The tentaculata part of the name refers to its retractable tentacles.) First noted in Germany in 1993, Phytophthora tentaculata hitched a ride on contaminated nursery stock and made its way to Central California and Monterey County in 2012. It is still spreading and is deadly to many of your garden and landscape plants. According to the Retail Nursery and Garden Center IPM News, Phytophthora tentaculata poses a long-term environmental and economic threat to many native and non-native plants because this pathogen can stay viable in the soil for many years. There is currently no known treatment. What is Phytophthora tentaculata? Phytophthora tentaculata is a member of the water mold family. Water molds fall between fungi and algae. These pathogens attack stems and roots and frequently kill their host plant. There are several types of phytophthora, including those that cause potato blight, crown rot, and sudden oak death. You cannot see these organisms with the naked eye, but watch for the symptoms and know which plants are currently considered susceptible. Host plants The following garden plants are highly susceptible to Phytophthora tentaculata:
These ornamental plants are also at risk (and may harbor the disease):
Symptoms of Phytophthora tentaculata Symptoms of Phytophthora tentaculata look a lot like many other plant diseases: chlorosis, reduced root growth, root lesions, root rot, stem cankers, stem collar lesions, and stunted growth are strong indications of infection. Preventing Phytophthora tentaculata infection Contaminated nursery stock is the most likely way this pest will reach your garden. Good water management is the best way to prevent infection. Phytophthora tentaculata is a soil-borne disease. Spores can also stick to plants, tools, containers, and shoes. And they travel through the movement of water. Spraying an infected plant can transfer the water molds to nearby plants. Since symptoms take time to be visible, avoiding potentially infected plants is in your garden’s best interest. These tips can help you protect your garden:
If Phytophthora tentaculata appears in your garden or landscape, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office. They may have helpful advice to protect your plants. And they need to know how this disease is spreading. Comments are closed.
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