Phytophthora cinnamomi 1527015 224905517 2008-07-10T22:55:06Z Ethel Aardvark 4037911 {{Taxobox | name = ''Phytophthora cinnamomi'' | image = Dieback sign gnangarra.jpg | regnum = [[Chromalveolata]] | phylum = [[Heterokont]]ophyta | classis = [[Water mould|Oomycetes]] | ordo = [[Pythiales]] | familia = [[Pythiaceae]] | genus = ''[[Phytophthora]]'' | species = '''''P. cinnamomi''''' | binomial = ''Phytophthora cinnamomi'' | binomial_authority = [[Robert Delafield Rands|Rands]] }} '''''Phytophthora cinnamomi''''' is a soil-borne [[water mould]] that produces an infection which causes a condition in plants called "root rot" or "dieback". ''P. cinnamomi'' infects the [[root]]s by [[zoospore]]s entering the [[root]] behind the root tip. Zoospores need water to swim through the soil, therefore infection is most likely in moist soils. [[Mycelia]] (or hyphae) grow throughout the root absorbing [[carbohydrate]]s and nutrients, destroying the structure of the root tissues, "rotting" the root, and preventing the plant from absorbing water and nutrients. Early symptoms of infection include wilting, yellowing and retention of dried foliage and darkening of root color. Infection often leads to death of the plant, especially in dry summer conditions when plants may be [[moisture stress|water stressed]]. [[Image:Die back valley gnangarra.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A [[Heath (habitat)|heath]] landscape in the [[Stirling Range]], [[Western Australia]], with a dieback-infested valley in the mid ground]] In [[Australia]], where it is known as '''dieback''' or '''cinnamon fungus''', ''P. cinnamomi'' infects a number of native plants,<ref>[http://www.cpsm.murdoch.edu.au/downloads/resources/natives_susceptible.pdf Murdoch University WA list of susceptible plants]</ref> causing damage to forests and removing habitats for small [[mammal]]s. Of particular concern is the infection and dieback of [[endangered species|threatened species]], including plants from the genera ''[[Banksia]]'', ''[[Darwinia (plant)|Darwinia]]'', ''[[Grevillea]]'', ''[[Verticordia]]'' and ''[[Wollemia nobilis]]''. [[Image:Littleleaf disease.jpg|right|thumb|280px|Littleleaf disease in ''Pinus'' spp., the tree on the left shows no symptoms of infection while the tree on the right shows stunted leaf growth characteristic of ''P. cinnamomi'' infection]] Damage to forests suspected to be caused by ''P. cinnamomi'' was first recorded in the [[United States]] about 200 years ago. Infection is the cause of sudden death of a number of native tree species, including [[American Chestnut]], Littleleaf disease of [[Shortleaf Pine]] (''Pinus echinata''), Christmas tree disease in nursery grown [[Fraser Fir]] (''Abies fraseri''), while [[oak]]s are affected from [[South Carolina]] to [[Texas]]. It has devastated forests of [[Ohia lehua]] (''Metrosideros polymorpha'') on the [[Hawaiian Islands]]. ''P. cinnamomi'' is also a problem in the [[Mexican state]] of [[Colima]], killing several native oak species and other susceptible vegetation in the surrounding woodlands. In addition to damage to native woodlands, ''P. cinnamomi'' can also infect [[fruit tree]]s, [[nut (fruit)|nut]] trees and other [[ornamental plant]]s. Research has shown that ''P. cinnamomi'' can infect [[club moss]]es, [[fern]]s, [[cycad]]s, [[conifer]]s, cord [[juncaceae|rushes]], [[grass]]es, [[lilies]] and a large number of species from many dicotyledonous families. This is a remarkable range for a plant pathogen and highlights the effectiveness of ''P. cinnamomi'' as an aggressive primary pathogen. This species has been named among the 100 of the "World's Worst" invaders.<ref>[http://www.issg.org/database/species/search.asp?st=100ss&fr=1&str Global Invasive Species Database<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==References== <references /> ==External links== * Botanic Gardens Trust. [http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/information_about_plants/pests_diseases/fact_sheets/phytophthora_root_rot Phytophthora root rot — fact sheet]. *Department of Environment and Heritage, South Australia [http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/pdfs/phytophthora_booklet.pdf ''Phytophthora cinnamomi'' causing dieback in plants]. *Environment Australia. [http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/phytophthora/index.html Threat Abatement Plan for Dieback Caused by the Root-rot Fungus ''Phytophthora cinnamomi''], 2001. *Hansen, E. [http://www.apsnet.org/online/sod/Papers/Hansen/default.htm Phytophthora in North American forests]. *Wills, R. T. [http://members.iinet.net.au/~cwills/rtwdis.html Plant Diseases in the south-west of Western Australia - a summary.] *Zentmyer, G.A., 1980. ''Phytophthora cinnamomi'' and the Diseases it Causes, Monograph no. 10, APS Press, St Paul, Minnesota, US. * [http://www.invasivespecies.net/database/species/ecology.asp?si=143&fr=1&sts= fact sheet of the Global Invasive Species database] *Department of Environment and Conservation Western Australia - Naturebase - Dieback [http://www.naturebase.net/content/category/4/302/97/] [[Category:Water moulds]] [[Category:Plant pathogens and diseases]] [[Category:Tree diseases]] [[fr:Phytophthora cinnamomi]]