Dieback of Pieris japonica caused by Phytophthora citrophthora

Abstract

Phytophthora citrophthora (Sm. et SM.) Leonian was mainly isolated from rotted twigs of pieris. The species used for artificial inoculation of leaf petiols and shoots of pieris, azalea and rhododendron spread very fast, especially on leaves coming from the top of the plants. In greenhouse trial, plants grown in peat, artificially infested with the species showed discoloration and wilt symptoms already 2-4 weeks after planting.

Keywords

• twig
• isolation
• inoculation
• Phylophthora
• pathogenicity