Phytophthora oak decline; Root rot - Phytophthora quercina
Effective: August 18, 2010 - December 31, 2019
Taxonomic Position: Peronosporales : Pythiaceae
Pest Type: Fungi
Pest Code (NAPIS): FGANPYC
This pest is a member of the following surveys: Oak
These Approved Methods are appropriate for: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Survey
Approved Method(s)
Method |
Detail |
NAPIS Survey Method |
Water Sample |
In situ water sampling with rhododendron leaf baits (preferred method). See details below. |
3014 - General Water Sample |
Visual |
Collect soil or root sample from symptomatic trees. |
3031 - General Visual Observation |
Method Notes: Use rhododendron leaves as bait by cutting the leaves in a herringbone pattern. Place 3-4 cut leaves into a mesh bag. Place the mesh bag into the water source for a minimum of 48 hours to 1 week (preferable).
Survey Recommendations
The following are recommendations for executing the survey using the approved methods for pest surveillance. The recommendations are developed through literature review and consultation with subject matter experts.
Signs: No specific signs are present.
Symptoms: Twig abscission, epicormic shoots, crown thinning, branch and crown dieback, reduced growth, yellowing leaves.
Key Diagnostic or Identification
Approved Method(s)
ID/Diagnostic: Serological: An ELISA of dipstick test is available for Phytophthora at the genus level for primary screening. A positive does not indicate P. quercina.
ID must be confirmed by other methods.
Morphological:
1.Baiting technique (soil):
a.Submerge a rhododendron leaf, oak leaflet in soil sample. Cover with water. Remove baits after 48 hrs. Examine for lesions after 7 days.
b.Species are identified morphologically (Jung et al., 1999).
2.Direct Isolation (bark/roots):
a.Place pieces of tissue on semi-selective media.
b.Species are identified morphologically (Jung et al., 1999).
Mistaken Identities: Symptoms of P. quercina are not characteristic as they are common for other forest Phytophthora species.
In Progress / Literature-based Diagnostics: Molecular: PCR has been used to detect P. quercina in leaves.
Nested PCR has been used to detect P. quercina in soil and water samples (Schubert et al., 1999; Nechwatal et al., 2001).
Real-time PCR: method has been developed that uses two universal primers and a probe to monitor the quality of DNA extracted from environmental samples followed by a multiplex real-time PCR to detect P. quercina, P. ramorum, P. kernoviae, and P. citricola from symptomatic leaves (Schena et al., 2006).
Schena et al. (2008) developed a PCR-based molecular tool box that could identify 15 Phytophthora species that damage forests and trees.
Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of PCR-amplified ribosomal DNA internal transcribed region I has now been used to identify and provide a molecular fingerprints for 59 Phytophthora species, including P. quercina (Gallegly and Hong, 2008).
Notes: P. quercina was reported from Missouri; however, the identification was never validated molecularly or verified by APHIS (Schwingle et al., 2007).