Phytophthora ramorum + P. kernoviae = international biosecurity failure

Abstract

For a scientist, my title may seem a little sensationalist in tone. This is deliberate - to draw attention to my issue. And here?s the issue. About six years ago the previously unknown invasive pathogen P. ramorum sp. nov. was found spreading on trees and shrubs in North America and Europe. Almost simultaneously in the U.K. we found another previously unknown invasive Phytophthora on trees and shrubs, P. kernoviae sp. nov. Shortly efore that we found the previously unknown invasive P. alni sp. nov. spreading on alders; and a decade before that the invasive P. ilicis on holly? Four invasive Phytophthora species, each spreading for some years prior to their discovery. And that?s just the Phytophthora species.? And that?s just the invasive Phytophthora species we?ve actually found.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the sudden oak death third science symposium

Citation

Brasier, Clive. 2008. Phytophthora ramorum + P. kernoviae = international biosecurity failure. In: Frankel, Susan J.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M., tech. coords. 2008. Proceedings of the sudden oak death third science symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-214. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. pp. 133-139