Distribution of Phytophthora citrophthora R.E. Sm. and E.H. Sm. and P. parasitica Dastur within citrus orchards in Kerman province, Iran

Abstract

In this research, distribution of Phytophthora species were determined in Kerman Province (Bam, Shahdad and Arzuiyeh) during 2004–2007. The Phytophthora species were isolated from infected root, crown and soil. Root and crown pieces were washed and cultured on a CMA-PARPH medium. The isolation from infected soil was performed by bating method using citrus leaves. It was identified by morphological and several physiological characteristics. Distribution of species was determined by recording the number of isolates recovered from samples from each city. In this study, from 220 soil samples collected from 52 citrus orchards, 80 isolates of Phytophthora were recovered. Among of all isolates of Phytophthora, P. parasitica and P. citrophthora were the most important species of causal agent of gummosis on Citrus sp. Distribution of P. citrophthora was highest in Arzuiyeh and lowest in Bam and Shahdad cities, while distribution of P. parasitica was highest in Bam and Shahdad cities. The majority of soil samples contained only P. parasitica, but a few of percentage samples containing P. citrophthora alone and both of fungi in cites samples.

Keywords:

• Phytophthora citrophthora
• P. parasitica
• distribution
• citrus

Acknowledgements

We hereby thank personnel of Plant Pathology Lab, Agricultural Research Center, Management of Plant Protection of Kerman Province and Mr Ehsany for their helpful assistance.