Plant Disease (2010) 94, 54-60

L.L. Granke and M.K. Hausbeck (2010)
Effects of temperature, concentration, age, and algaecides on Phytophthora capsici zoospore infectivity
Plant Disease 94 (1), 54-60
Abstract: Controlled laboratory studies were undertaken to determine the effects of water temperature (2, 9, 12, 19, 22, and 32°C), inoculum concentration (1 × 10², 1 × 10³, 5 × 10³, 1 × 10⁴, 2 × 10⁴, and 4 × 10⁴ zoospores/ml), and zoospore suspension age (0, 1, 3, and 5 days old) on infection of pickling cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) by Phytophthora capsici. Zoospore motility and mortality in response to commercial algaecides were also investigated. Cucumbers became infected at all temperatures tested, except 2°C, and the highest infection incidence was observed for cucumbers incubated in suspensions held at >19°C. Fewer fruit (<40% at >19°C, 0% at <12°C) became infected when water contained 1 × 10² zoospores/ml. Almost 100% of fruit were infected when water contained >5 × 10³ zoospores/ml at temperatures >12°C. While the incidence of fruit infection declined with the zoospore suspension age, infection still occurred when 5-day-old suspensions were used. Commercial algaecides inhibited zoospore motility and caused significant zoospore mortality in laboratory assays, and show promise for treatment of infested irrigation water. Avoidance of infested irrigation water throughout the growing season is warranted until effective and economically acceptable water treatments are developed for field use.
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Database assignments for author(s): Mary K. Hausbeck

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phytophthora capsici	Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)