Wind dispersal of resting spores of Synchytrium endobioticum
In Canada, Synchytrium endobioticum (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) is present in Newfoundland only in home gardens, and is submitted to plant quarantine. So far, wind has not been considered as a means of dispersal of the disease. However, resting spores were found adhering to windows on a building downwind of a heavily contaminated plot, situated in Avondale, Newfoundland. This potato plot has been a monoculture since 1954, and samples taken from the top 5 cm of soil displayed an average of more than 100 spores/g soil. Studies were carried out to check whether wind could carry spores. Simple impaction devices were placed in this field and were examined throughout the potato-growing season (June to October). Spores were recovered on the surface of these impaction devices in quite large numbers. Although it was recognized that wind is always blowing in Newfoundland and that the plot studied was heavily infested, the author considers that these preliminary studies have shown that wind dispersal of resting spores of S. endobioticum is possible.
Sources
Hampson, M.C. (1996) A qualitative assessment of wind dispersal of resting spores of Synchytrium endobioticum, the causal agent of wart disease of potato.
Plant Disease, 80(7), 779-782.