Measurements of spectral reflectance from potato plants were carried out in the years 2000 and 2001 using the field radiometer CE 313 of Cimel Electronique Company. Field experiments permitted to perceive differences in the reflectance of electromagnetic radiation from potato plant cultivars Bekas and Mila as well as differences between the plants treated with fungicides providing the protection against Phytophthora infestans and the untreated plants. A differentiation of the values of vegetative indices between potato cultivars resulted from the unequal development rate of the cultivars and from their different susceptibility to Phytophthora infestans. The assessment of potato plants infection by the studied pathogen using spectral measurements agreed with the results of field inspection.

Phytophthora cryptogea was isolated from diseased stem base of Aquilegia discolor and rotted leaves of Saxifraga and Sempervivum spp. Additionally, Fusarium species and Botrytis cinerea were frequently isolated from diseased parts of plants. Most of Sempervivum species and cultivars except S. soculiferum were colonized in laboratory conditions by P. cryptogea. The isolates from Alstroemeria aurantiaca, Gerbera jamesonii, Saxifraga arendsii, S. paniculata, Sempervivum arachnoideum colonised houseleek leaves with the fastest spread of necrosis on plant parts inoculated with cultures from Gerbera and S. arendsii. The isolate from S. arendsii colonized 5 species and cultivars of saxifrage as well as Iberis sempervivum, Lavendula angustifolia, Sempervivum sobuliferum and Vinca minor with the slowest development on periwinkle. In laboratory trials isolate of P. cryptogea from houseleek grew on PDA and colonized leaves of that plant at temperature ranging from about 10 to 32.5°C with optimum at 20–30°C.

Phytophthora root and stem rot of soybean is a destructive disease of soybean in Iran. During 1998–2005, 142 isolates from soil and diseased soybean plants were collected and tested. Race identification was made possible by inoculating Rps differential soybean cultivars and lines. Of the 142 isolates tested, 110 isolates belonged to race 1 and 32 isolates belonged to race 3. Race 1 was domi nant in soil and diseased plant samples. There was no variability in virulence of Phytophthora sojae between the areas surveyed.

Genotypic differentiation among 10 isolates of Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands and 24 isolates of Phytophthora citricola Sawada from 12 different plant species grown in Polish ornamental nurseries was determined. DNA was extracted from pure pathogen cultures and amplified by the PCR technique using ISSR and RAPD primers. 9 primers were used to amplify P. cinnamomi and 8 to amplify P. citricola DNA. The analyzed amplification products were between 300 and 2300 bp. The genotypical differentiation was from 17 to 35% in P. cinnamomi and from 10 to 60% in P. citricola. Isolates from host plants of the same family showed, with some exceptions, similar levels of differentiation.

This study describes a newly developed index for predicting and forecasting the first (and potentially subsequent) timing of fungicide application against late blight in potato crops based on weather variables measured close to the crop. Inputs for index calculation were the following: daily minimum temperature, mean relative air humidity and daily precipitation. The decisive moment in the process of forecasting is the sum of daily index values for the previous 5 days. The index was tested in various localities of the Czech and the Slovak Republics for several years with a relatively high success rate exceeding the accuracy of previously applied strategies – NoBlight and negative prognosis. In comparison to the mentioned methods, the calculated index corresponded very well to long-term wet periods and indicated the first application date correctly. In years with no wet periods (in this case, 2015 and 2017), it allowed postponing the first application and reducing the number of required sprays during the growing season. The method does not depend on determining the emergence date, so it can be presented on the internet without cooperation with specific growers in a given locality, and thus supply information for a wider range of users. With knowledge about crop development and the degree of resistance to late blight of grown varieties, users can subsequently choose a specific fungicide and its application date.

Phytophthora cambivora was isolated from the bark lesions of two 10- and 15-year-old of analysed alder trees. Additionally, Botrytis cinerea, 3 Fusarium species, Mucor spp., P. alni and Trichoderma spp. were recovered from diseased tissues. Isolates of P. cambivora from six plant species, used for inoculation of alder seedlings and plant parts, cause dthe development of necrosis. Isolate from Chamaecyparis lawsoniana was the weakest pathogen whereas those from Abies alba, Acer pennsylvanicum and Alnus glutinosa were the strongest.

Phytophthora citricola was isolated from diseased seedlings of European beech and Silver fir taken from the most of surveyed nurseries. Fusarium species, Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani were also found in diseased plant tissues.Isoates of P. citricola fro mboth plants and additionally from heather and rhododendron colonised leaf blades, needles and stem parts of beech and fir. In greenhouse trials on inoculated 1-year-old seedlings necrosis spread about 2 mm/24 hr on beech stems whereas on fir about 1.5 mm/24 hr.

In the field experiments performed in 1999–2001 the profitability of late blight control in accordance with three decision support systems: NegFry, Simphyt and Stephan with routine fungicide program was compared. Potato protection carried out according to the recommendations of the decision support systems guaranteed higher profitability of late blight control than when potato was protected routinely. The highest profitability was recorded for susceptible variety Bekas protected according to NegFr.

Phytophthora citricola Sawada was detected from 3 water pools situated in 2 container- grown nurseries. The highest number of spots on rhododendron leaves were observed in June whereas the lowest in October. The use of water for plant sprinkling caused browning, yellowing of shoots and root rot of Buxus sempervirens, and blight of shoot tips of Thuja occidentalis and Rhododendron sp. The disease symptoms were observed already in June and the disease developed till the first decade of October. Losses caused by the species varied from 9 to 56%.

Research over a three year period indicated that P. ramorum occurred rarely in Poland on Rhododendron spp., in spite of established monitoring in nurseries, trade stands, forest and water from early spring to late autumn each year. The pathogen was not found in forests on Vaccinium vitisidaea, Calluna vulgaris, Fagus sylvatica and Quercus rubra, proving its limited spread. The species was detected, however, from 2 rivers. P. citricola was isolated from most of surveyed plants. Besides this P. cactorum, P. cinnamomi, P.citrophthora and P. nicotianae var. nicotianae were isolated from diseased plants. Additionally Pestalotia sydowiana, species of Fusarium, Botrytis cinerea and Trichoderma were often found in diseased plant tissues. Laboratory and glasshouse research showed slight differences in colonization of plants by P. ramorum and P. citricola. However, taking into account the range of host plants, and frequency of pathogen occurrence in infected plant material and water, it became clear that P. citricola poses a much greater danger than P. ramorum to the natural environment in Poland.

From Hedera helix and Epipremnum aureum showing necrosis of shoot base spread upwards and on leaves Phytophthora tropicalil was isolated. The species was obtained from ⅞of Hedera and ¾ of Epipremnum diseased shoot and root parts. Additionally, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium avenaceum and Rhizoctonia solani was recovered from some of affected plants. The chosen 2 isolates colonised petioles and leaf blades of both host plants. P. tropicalis caused necrosis of leaves of 11 tested cultivars of H. helix and 13 other pot plant species and seedlings of tomato. The fastest spread of necrosis was observed on leaves of Peperomia magnoliaefolia, Pelargonium zonale and Phalaenopsis x hybridum. The development of disease was observed at temperatures ranged from 10 to 32.5°C with optimum 30°C.

Phytophthora citricola constituted about 70% of all Phytophthora isolates recovered from rhododendron leaves used as baits for detection of that group of organisms in water. The species was found in 4 rivers, 2 hardy nursery water reservoirs and nursery drainage canal from May to October, 2006. Analysis of spots’ number on rhododendron leaf baits as a measure of P. citricola density showed that place of holding baits had a significant influence on the species occurrence. Significantly more spots, especially in July survey, were observed on baits held in Skierniewka and Zwierzynka rivers swimming through agricultural and forest area than in Ner, the river of horticultural area. Significantly more spots/rhododendron leaves were observed when they were held in rivers downstream of nursery and in the middle of hardy nursery borders. In nursery water containers and drainage canal higher Phytophthora density was recorded in August than in other periods of surveying. Using water from reservoir for sprinkling of Picea omorika nursery trees caused the development of tip blight and from diseased twigs P. citricola was isolated.

A survey was conducted in February of 2004 on the outbreak of stem rot and wilt disease of pepper at the Kitabawa/Danzakara and Ajiwa irrigation sites in Northern Nigeria. Laboratory investigations revealed that it was elicited by Phytophthora capsici Leon. The disease caused severe loss in yield and USD 1 700.00 to USD 3 200.00 loss in revenue/ha. The disease was probably further aggravated by the presence of Fusarium sp. as well as ecto- and endoparasitic nematodes. Reasons for outbreak were elucidated and solutions proffered.

The paper attempts to assess the extent of crop loss in rubber plantations in India, measured in terms of loss in latex and timber output and thereby to examine the comparative economics of plant protection measures against Phytophtora spp. induced abnormal leaf fall (ALF). The specific objectives were: a) to examine the extent of loss in latex and timber output in unsprayed plots vis-a-vis sprayed plots across prominent rubber clones; b) estimate the value of loss in latex and timber output across clones between sprayed and unsprayed plots; c) examine the comparative economics of plant protection measures in terms of the incremental costs and the incremental returns from sprayed plots across clones; and d) reflect upon the policy imperatives with respect to region specific Research and Development (R&D) interventions on plant protection measures in India. The study brings out significant clonal differences in loss of latex and timber output in the absence of prophylactic spraying against ALF. The observed clonal differences with respect to feasibility of plant disease control measures indicate the need for region and clone-specific recommendations for plant protection measures in India instead of the currently followed unilateral prescription with due allowance to the costs and potential benefit accrued from the control measures. The study also highlight the need for evolving interventions and agro-management/ plant protection measures for minimising the incidence of tree casualty in rubber plantation, as it amounts to loss of potential income from latex and timber from rubber plantations in India, dominated by the smallholder sector