Cultivar and Spacing Effects on Transmission of Phytophthora parasitica in an Ebb-and-Flow Subirrigation System

Plant Dis. 1997 Jan;81(1):89-95. doi: 10.1094/PDIS.1997.81.1.89.

Abstract

Phytophthora parasitica was transmitted within 6 weeks from vinca (Catharanthus roseus) plants growing in infested potting mix, on the drain end of ebb-and-flow benches, to plants in noninfested potting mix. Transmission of Phytophthora was very low when potting mix was not pasteurized. When potting mix was steam pasteurized, infection of plants, disease incidence, and severity increased with time and decreased with distance from plants in infested pots. The cultivar Pretty in Pink was more susceptible to infection by P. parasitica than cv. Peppermint Cooler, allowing more rapid and severe disease development as well as pathogen dissemination and transmission. Pot spacing did not significantly affect transmission of P. parasitica on an ebb-and-flow bench.