Protecting restoration plantings from pathogens

Abstract

Over the past six years, inadvertent plant pathogen introductions into restorations plantings have stunned and frustrated vegetation ecologists. Sticky monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), sages (Salvia spp.), and other common restoration plants have been found to harbor soilborne Phytophthora species, relatives of the sudden oak death pathogen (Phytophthora ramorum). Detections in native plant nurseries and restoration sites include new to the US Phytophthora species (Phytophthora tentaculata, P. quercina), new species (P. taxon agrifolia), and new pathogen-host plant combinations that threaten restoration success and present numerous challenges for ecologists determined to keep habitat healthy and pathogen-free (Rooney-Latham et al. 2019, Frankel et al. 2020). Since these pathogens infect roots and survive in soil, they are difficult to eradicate once introduced and residual inoculum may infect subsequent plantings. The problem may be complicated by native plants' summer-drought adaptations, which may cause diseased plants to go unnoticed. 

Citation

Frankel, Susan J.; Alexander, Janice M.; Benner, Diana; Hillman, Janell; Shor, Alisa. 2020. Protecting restoration plantings from pathogens. Fremontia. 48(1): 39.