Australasian Plant Pathology (2007) 36, 609-620

B.L. Shearer, C.E. Crane, S. Barrett and A. Cochrane (2007)
Assessment of threatened flora susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi by analysis of disease progress curves in shadehouse and natural environments
Australasian Plant Pathology 36 (6), 609-620
Abstract: Disease progress curves were evaluated for the assessment of the susceptibility of the flora of the South-West Botanical Province of Western Australia threatened by Phytophthora cinnamomi infection. Disease progress was analysed with the logistic model because this model describes numerous observed disease progress curves. In addition, the three logistic model parameters, upper asymptote (K_max), lag time (t_1/2K) and intrinsic rate of increase (r), have rational physical interpretations. Because the logistic model parameters for percentage of plants with collar lesions were significantly related to parameters for percentage mortality, only the logistic model parameters for percentage mortality were used in subsequent analysis. Susceptible hosts had the greatest K_max, shortest t_1/2K and fastest r. These parameters change to lowest K_max, longest t_1/2K and slowest r for resistant plant taxa. There was a greater change of K_max with t_1/2K than with r. The K_max and r parameters did not differ significantly between isolates of the pathogen. Variation in mortality curve parameters between years was greater for Banksia grandis than for the more susceptible B. brownii. There was no significant linear relationship between mortality curve parameters for B. brownii and temperature variables. For B. grandis there were four significant linear relationships between a mortality curve parameter and a temperature variable. Potting mix soil favoured greatest disease progress with the shortest t_1/2K and fastest r. Susceptibility to P. cinnamomi determined in a shadehouse environment following soil inoculation was significantly positively correlated with susceptibility recorded in disease centres in natural environments.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Bryan L. Shearer, Colin Crane

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phytophthora cinnamomi	Banksia (crop)	Australia (Western)