Journal article
Phytophthora ramorum: a threat to Australia?
Australasian Plant Conservation, Vol.13(4), pp.22-24
2005
Abstract
What makes Phytophihora cinnarnomi such a devastating plant pathogen in the Australian environment?
• It is a microscopic organism that lives in soil and plant roots.
• It can., and has, spread widely in many Australian landscapes through movement of infested soil from one location to another, naturally and by human activities ranging from bushwalking to mining.
• It can reproduce asexually and prolifically when conditions are optimal (warm and moist).
• It infects a very broad range of plants, and the susceptibility of much of Australia’s unique flora indicates that it is exotic in origin.
• Once present in a landscape it cannot be eradicated, although management is possible with commitment from governments, industry and the community.
It’s a fairly grim scenario...but it couldn’t get any worse. . .could it? Unfortunately, it could! Imagine a species of Phytophihora that has all the characteristics of P. cinnamonii, but also has the capacity to be carried by wind-driven rain. Phvtophthora rarnorum is just such a pathogen.
Details
- Title
- Phytophthora ramorum: a threat to Australia?
- Authors/Creators
- E. O'Gara (Author/Creator)D. Hüberli (Author/Creator)G.E.St.J. Hardy (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Australasian Plant Conservation, Vol.13(4), pp.22-24
- Publisher
- Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc.
- Identifiers
- 991005541712807891
- Copyright
- (c) Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology; Centre for Phytophthora Science and Management
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publisher URL
- http://www.anbg.gov.au/anpc/australasian_plant_conservation.html
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