Author: Diana P. Zurillo Rivera,   (University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez)

Description:
Phytophthora​ is a pathogen that was found in 1995 in California. Currently, one of the greatest concerns about this pathogen is the dispersion of it. It has more than 50 species, one of these being ​Phytophthora ramorum that causes the sudden oak death. During the past summer I conducted a survey to identify phytophthora species, in Alabama and Mississippi with the School of Forestry of Auburn University. The samples were collected in nurseries, because the pathogen manages to shoot through air, water and soil. The samples taken in these nurseries were processed with rhododendron leaves because they are more succeptible to Phytophthora species for better results.  As part of the results,  ​we found the presence of ​Phytophthora ramorum ​in Birmingham, Alabama (AL 2) and Mobile, Alabama (AL 7). Kosciusko, Mississippi (MS 6) tested positive for ​Phytophthora cinnamomi​. However, the results of the genetic sequence did not show their presence in the samples, which suggests that the primers we used were not species specific.  Thanks Dr. Lori Eckhardt, Luis Mendez, the NSF Program and the Forest Health Dynamics laboratory for all the collaboration during this project.

Category: Scientific Program Abstract > Special Session > CS25 Community Ecology