Phytopathologia Mediterranea (2021) 60, 535-548

Robert Blundell, Molly Arreguin and Akif Eskalen (2021)
The distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the Americas is related to its main host (Persea americana), but with high potential for expansion
Phytopathologia Mediterranea 60 (3), 535-548
Abstract: Phytophthora cinnamomi is among the most destructive plant pathogens that affect many host plants in different ecosystems. Economically important hosts of this pathogen include avocado (Persea americana), and this oomycete may cause large-scale destructive epidemics. This study analyzed the potential geographic distribution of P. cinnamomi (pathogen) and avocado (host), and distribution of the pathogen in relation to multiple hosts in the Americas. Niche overlap between hosts and pathogen were also evaluated, using a multistep process of ecological niche modelling and the MaxEnt algorithm. Niche similarity among pathogen populations in different hosts and related niche similarity were also examined. As a complement, a tool was designed to visualize the risk of this pathogen in avocado. Results showed that the pathogen was randomly distributed in the avocado niche environmental space, but the niche of the pathogenwas narrower than that of its principal host. The niche of the pathogen was largely a function of the host niches. Areas with potential to grow avocado could present low risk of P. cinnamomi, but given the invasiveness of this pathogen, they may be affected in the future.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Akif Eskalen

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Diaporthe ampelina	Grapevine (Vitis)	U.S.A. (SW)
	Eutypa lata	Grapevine (Vitis)	U.S.A. (SW)
	Diplodia seriata	Grapevine (Vitis)	U.S.A. (SW)
	Neofusicoccum parvum	Grapevine (Vitis)	U.S.A. (SW)