Solarization of reused pots is an inexpensive and efficient method to eliminate Phytophthora cactorum and other serious soilborne Phytophthora spp. found in production nurseries

Abstract

The reuse of plant pots by nursery growers has repeatedly been shown to be a method by which transfer of plant pathogens within a nursery will occur. More critically, this practice is an efficient pathway to infest landscape settings or habitat restoration sites by the out-planting of pre-symptomatic infected plant material. The transfer of water molds (oomycetes), such as plant pathogenic Phytophthora species, is a major threat to restoration projects and prevention of cross-contamination via pots should be a critical nursery operational control. Our research has established performance and efficacy criteria that demonstrate the risk can easily be managed by solarization of used pots.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the sudden oak death sixth science symposium

Citation

Suslow, K.; Sharma, S.; Kosta, K.; Weber, Kristina; Rooney-Latham, S. 2017. Solarization of reused pots is an inexpensive and efficient method to eliminate Phytophthora cactorum and other serious soilborne Phytophthora spp. found in production nurseries. In: Frankel, Susan J.; Harrell, Katharine M., tech. coords. Proceedings of the sudden oak death sixth science symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. GTR-PSW-255. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: 100-101.