Details about the situation of Phytophthora ramorum in France
Phytophthora ramorum (EPPO Alert List) was first observed in France in 2002 causing twig blight and brown spot on Rhododendron species grown in nurseries (see EPPO RS 2003/037). After this first finding, surveys for P. ramorum were regularly conducted throughout France, in nurseries and their vicinity. The pathogen was only detected in nurseries at 29 locations in 2002, 9 in 2003, 23 in 2004, 17 in 2005 and 19 in 2006. P. ramorum was mainly found on Rhododendron and occasionally on Viburnum tinus. It was detected on Pieris japonica (in 2 nurseries in 2005) and on Camellia (in 1 nursery in 2006), but in these nurseries P. ramorum also occurred on Rhododendron. More recently, it was observed on Syringa and Taxus (Anonymous, 2007). Most infected plants were found in the north-west of France (Bretagne and Pays-de-la-Loire regions) which corresponds to the main rhododendron-growing area. To date, P. ramorum has not been found outside ornamental nurseries in France and all tested isolates (78 isolates collected from 2002 to 2004) were found to be the A1 mating type.
The situation of Phytophthora ramorum in France can be described as follows: Present, found in nurseries mainly on Rhododendron spp. in the north-west (Bretagne, Pays-de-la-Loire), under official control.
Sources
Anonymous (2007) Phyto Région. Pays-de-la-Loire. Phytophthora ramorum passe sur if et lilas. Phytoma – La Défense des Végétaux No. 607, p 3.
Husson C, Delatour C, Frey P, Marçais B, Saurat C, Schenck N (2007) First report of Phytophthora ramorum on ornamental plants in France. Plant Disease 91(10), p 3159.