WDC6: Management of Phytophthora ramorum in U.S. Nurseries
(Multistate Research Project)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
WDC6: Management of Phytophthora ramorum in U.S. Nurseries
Duration: 09/01/2005 to 09/30/2006
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
We are requesting the approval of a Development Committee on "Management of Phytophthora ramorum in U.S. Nurseries" to continue the work of the former Rapid Response Activity, W-501, to develop a Multistate Research Project on the subject of sudden oak death disease. We suggest that the effective dates for the project be September 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006. The proposed Development Committee will submit a proposal by the January 2006 deadline for a 5-year Multistate Research Project to be effective October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2011.
Background on the disease: Phytophthora ramorum is the cause of sudden oak death on certain members of the Fagaceae and ramorum blight of many nursery crops. The pathogen was first identified in 1993 in Germany and the Netherlands on rhododendron and viburnum. It is now causing widespread disease in nurseries within nine European countries. In N. America, P. ramorum was first isolated from dying trees in California in 2000. It now causes disease in native woodlands of 14 coastal counties in California, and one county in southwest Oregon. Regulations were established in February 14, 2002, to control the movement of sudden oak death from twelve infested counties in California and an area under eradication in Oregon. Currently, 64 plants are regulated. There are no chemical treatments currently available to eliminate the disease in nursery stock. In March, 2004, several southern California nurseries were found infested with the pathogen, resulting in crop destruction amounting to several million dollars. Hundreds of thousands of plants potentially infected with the pathogen were shipped to 39 states in the continental U.S., and several states imposed quarantines to prevent further shipments of nursery stock from California. In addition to severe economic losses to the nursery industry due to crop losses and quarantines, the shipment of contaminated plants throughout the U.S. could transmit disease to gardens, parks, and native vegetation. The range of hosts for this pathogen is very broad, including 29 species in 12 plant families, with another 30 species pending confirmation. Hundreds more plant species, including trees and woody shrubs, are potentially susceptible. Although the climatological requirements and ecological constraints of this pathogen are not known, eastern red oak forests are at risk because they contain numerous susceptible hosts including Quercus falcata, Quercus rubra, Kalmia latifolia, and Rhododendron.
Importance to the U.S. nursery industry: The U.S. is the largest producer and market for nursery and greenhouse crops, and the nursery and greenhouse industry is the fastest growing segment of U.S. agriculture (USDA Economic Research Service). In terms of economic output, nursery and greenhouse crops represent the third most important sector in U.S. crop agriculture. Nursery and greenhouse crops are in the top five commodities in 27 states, and the top ten commodities in 42 states. Seven states account for almost two-thirds of all nursery crop production: California (24%), Texas (11%), Florida (9%), North Carolina (9%), Oregon (7%), Ohio (4%) and Maryland (3%).
Objectives: The Development Committee will bring together participants from a multi-state or national level to meet and develop a proposal for a Multistate Research Project that will exchange information and coordinate research and extension activities concerning the management of P. ramorum in nurseries. Involvement at the national level is expected to be broad, since 34 participants from 17 institutions in 16 states joined W-501. The participants also included 10 with extension responsibilities.
Expected Outputs, Outcomes and/or Impacts: Successful development of an approved Multistate Research Project will result in exchange of information at a national level on pathogen biology, ecology, and epidemiology which will lead to more effective strategies for management of sudden oak death on nursery crops. Coordination of research that will result in more rapid progress in managing the disease. Coordination of extension programs will ensure rapid dissemination of information to the nursery industry and implementation of management strategies.
Related, Current and Previous Work
Objectives