Journal of Plant Pathology (2007) 89, S22-S23

S. Scibetta, A. Chimento, L. Schena, S.O. Cacciola and D.E.L. Cooke (2007)
Diversity of Phytophthora communities in Scottish natural ecosystems
Journal of Plant Pathology 89 (3, Suppl.), S22-S23
Oral Presentation at S.I.Pa.V XIV National Meeting - Perugia, Italy 19-21 Sept. 2007
Abstract: The presence and activity of Phytophthora species in natural ecosystems is probably underestimated since our current knowledge is mainly based on traditional methods of detection (selective media and baiting techniques) and morphological identification which have several shortcomings. In the present study the diversity of Phytophthora communities in a range of Scottish natural sites was assessed by a molecular approach, based on sequencing cloned ITS regions obtained by nested-PCR amplification with genus-specific primers. This study provided the first molecular experimental procedure suitable to monitor Phytophthora species present in environmental samples. Total DNA was recovered from water and soil samples. An in-field system for filtering Phytophthora zoospores from water samples and subsequent DNA extraction from the filter proved to be rapid and efficient for large scale screening. The results of these surveys demonstrated a great diversity of Phytophthora species present in a range of different forest ecosystems. A comparative analysis with the baiting assay showed a much greater genetic diversity for each of the cloned libraries. The analysis of genetic distance revealed the presence of over 20 known species of Phytophthora, from all main ITS-clades of the genus. The range and type of species varied from sample to sample and up to five different Phytophthora species were detected in a single sample. The most frequently detected ITS sequences were related to the ITS-clade 6 (i.e. P. gonapodyides-like). Novel unreported ITS sequences were also identified, suggesting the presence of yet undescribed species.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Santa O. Cacciola, Leonardo Schena, David E.L. Cooke

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phytophthora (genus)		United Kingdom