There are several different types of Phytophthora, including Cinnamomi, Ramorum, Infestans, Capsici and Palmivora. They are known to attack a wide range of plants including pumpkins, watermelons, beans, spinach, turnips and even olive trees.

Signs and Symptoms

Phytophthora Cinnamomi is the most common, destructive and widely distributed species of this disease. It is present in over 70 countries world wide. The pathogen is generally found in areas where the average annual rainfall is greater than 50mm and soils are acidic or neutral and low on nutrients and organic matter. Poor drainage also encourages infection.

Phytophthora Cinnamomi lives in soil and plant tissues. It destroys the structure of root tissues, causing root rot and preventing plants from absorbing water and nutrients. Early symptoms include wilting, yellowing and retention of dried foliage as well as darkening of root colour. If not caught quickly, infection often leads to the death of plants, especially in dry summer conditions.

Phytophthora Ramorum can cause “sudden death” in oak trees. For such massive plants they can decline rapidly, with foliage turning brown in a few weeks. Under moist conditions, spores develop that can spread the disease. Once contracted, it kills portions of bark, resulting in cankers or lesions. The best way to distinguish it is to look for symptoms on other known hosts, such as rhododendrons and bay trees, nearby. If signs are seen on other susceptible plants, they are likely to be stricken with Phytophthora Ramorum.

Phytophthora Infestans causes significant losses in potato crops around the world. It is probably the most significant pathogen of potatoes and tomatoes today. The disease appears as leaf rot or lesions, rot in potatoes themselves, and slightly sunken brown and purple areas.

Other forms of the disease include Phytophthora Capsici, which materializes in the form of water-soaked foliar lesions and stem necrosis and Phytophthora Palmivora, a dark-staining canker. While Capsici is known to affect beans and peas, Palmivora has been witnessed in olive trees and orchids.

Prevention and Treatment

With so many varieties of Phytophthora and types of vulnerable plants, it is important to monitor crops regularly and treat them thoroughly if disease is suspected.  Because the pathogen is soil-based, an effective treatment is the application of TerraClean.

TerraClean is popular because it is environmentally safe and biodegradable. It can be applied at any time, whether as a pre-plant dip, a soil drench, a surface disinfectant or even a foliar spray. While it will eradicate the disease, it will also increase oxygenation at the roots and improve nutrient intake in plants.

With Phytophthora’s ability to attack many common crops and cause crippling losses, it is imperative to recognize the signs of the disease and treat it quickly.

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Various other Phytophthora diseases have historically caused staggering economic losses on a wide variety of crops worldwide, most notably soy beans and potatoes.

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