Phytophthora lateralis identified in France
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat that Phytophthora lateralis (EPPO A1 List) has been identified on Chamaecyparis lawsoniana plants. The French Forestry Department mentioned that tree mortality and symptoms resembling those of P. lateralis have been observed since 2005 on several hedges of C. lawsoniana in Finistère department (Bretagne region, Western France). Research studies will be initiated by INRA in collaboration with the Oregon State University (Corvallis, US) to compare French and American strains of P. lateralis, and to better understand their epidemiology. Detailed surveys will be carried out to delimit the extent of the infestation in France.
It can be recalled that in France, P. lateralis had been isolated from C. lawsoniana on two previous occasions (in 1996 and in 1998) in different locations, but at that time it was felt that these findings were related to a single original infestation of young, potted, greenhouse-propagated trees in a commercial nursery, itself resulting from an introduction from North America (Hansen et al., 1999).
The situation of Phytophthora lateralis in France can be described as follows: Present, identified in Chamaecyparis lawsoniana in 2010, under official control.
Sources
NPPO of France (2010-02).
Anonymous (2009) La lettre du DSF no. 38 – Juin 2009. Département de la Santé des Forêts (FR), 9 pp. http://agriculture.gouv.fr/sections/thematiques/foret-bois/sante-des-forets/publications-du-departement-de-la-sante-des-forets
Hansen EM, Streito JC, Delatour C (1999) First confirmation of Phytophthora lateralis in Europe. Plant Disease 83(6), p 587.