EPPO Alert List – Phytophthora pluvialis
Why
Phytophthora pluvialis was discovered in several woodlands in the United Kingdom at the end of 2021, affecting mature western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and Douglas-fir trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii). This was the first report of this pathogen in the EPPO region. In autumn 2023, P. pluvialis was also found in Belgium. The Panel on Phytosanitary Measures suggested that it is added to the EPPO Alert List to raise awareness of other EPPO countries.
General view of a site of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) affected by P. pluvialis.
Courtesy: Ben Jones, Forestry Commission (UK)
Resinous cankers on shoots of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla).
Courtesy: Ana Pérez-Sierra, Forest Research (UK)
Olive green/brown needles of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) infected by P. pluvialis.
Courtesy: Ana Pérez-Sierra, Forest Research (UK)
Where
The species is considered as probably native from North-Western USA.
EPPO region: Belgium (under surveillance), United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales) (under eradication).
North America: United States of America (California, Oregon, Washington).
Oceania: New Zealand.
On which plants
In the USA, P. pluvialis was first observed on Pseudotsuga menziesii and Notholithocarpus densiflorus. In New Zealand, it was recorded on Pinus radiata, P. patula, P. pinea, and P. strobus. In the United Kingdom, it is causing cankers on P. menziesii, T. heterophylla and Larix kaempferi. As P. pluvialis has expended its host range when introduced to new areas, some authors consider that this pathogen has the potential to infect a broader range of hosts than is currently recognized.
Damage
P. pluvialis is known to cause needle cast, shoot dieback, and lesions on the stem, branches, and roots of host plants. In the USA and New Zealand, P. pluvialis is mainly a needle pathogen. It causes red needle cast disease on Pinus species: symptoms start as discrete olive-coloured lesions on the needles, then turning yellow to red brown. This eventually can lead to premature defoliation of the lower crown and occasionally of the entire tree. In the United Kingdom, in addition to symptoms on needles, branch and stem cankers have been observed and resulted in severe tree decline.
A guide of symptoms observed in the United Kingdom is available on Forest Research website, and photos are available in EPPO Global Database: https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/PHYTUV/photos
Dissemination
P. pluvialis has been isolated from soil, water, and tree foliage and stems. Like other Clade 3 Phytophthora spp., P. pluvialis disperses aerially over relatively short distances, via rain splash and wind-driven rain. Like other Phytophthora spp., it could probably be transported on footwear and vehicles from infested areas. In trade it can be transported on infested plant material. Analysis demonstrated that the epidemics in New Zealand was linked to a single introduction from Oregon. In New Zealand, the first symptoms were observed in 2008 in one area, and in 2018 its presence was recorded in both North and South Islands.
Pathways
Plants for planting, wood, cut branches, needles, mulch?, soil.
Possible risks
Pinus, Tsuga, Pseudotsuga and Larix are widespread in the EPPO region, both in forest and in urban areas. P. pluvialis has already been introduced in the last decade in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and could therefore also be introduced in other EPPO countries. P. pluvialis causes defoliation and severe decline on its hosts. Its host range has expanded when introduced to new areas. Climatic requirements of this pathogen are not yet fully known but it is established in cool wet climate of the Pacific Northwest USA as well as in warmer areas in New Zealand. Therefore, at least the western part of the EPPO region is at risk.
Sources
Brar S, Tabima JF, McDougal RL, Dupont PY, Feau N, Hamelin RC, Panda P, LeBoldus JM, Grünwald NJ, Hansen EM, Bradshaw RE (2018) Genetic diversity of Phytophthora pluvialis, a pathogen of conifers, in New Zealand and the west coast of the United States of America. Plant Pathology 67(5), 1131-1139. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.12812
Hansen EM, Reeser PW, Sutton W, Gardner J, Williams N (2015) First report of Phytophthora pluvialis causing needle loss and shoot dieback on Douglas-fir in Oregon and New Zealand. Plant Disease 99(5), 727. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-14-0943-PDN
INTERNET
- Forest Research (2022) Phytophthora pluvialis - Symptoms on western hemlock and Douglas-fir. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1057343/Symptom_guide_P_pluvialis_v2_Feb_2022.pdf
- GOV.UK. Guidance Phytophthora pluvialis. England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/phytophthora-pluvialis
- Scottish Forestry. Phytophthora pluvialis in Scotland. https://forestry.gov.scot/sustainable-forestry/tree-health/tree-pests-and-diseases/phytophthora-pluvialis
- Welsh Government. Guidance Phytophthora pluvialis. https://www.gov.wales/phytophthora-pluvialis
McLay E, Rogan B, Dobbie K (2023) First report of Phytophthora pluvialis causing needle lesions on Pinus pinea in New Zealand. New Disease Reports 47(1), e12150. https://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.12150
NPPO of Belgium (2024-02).
Pérez‐Sierra A, Chitty R, Eacock A, Jones B, Biddle M, Crampton M, Lewis A, Olivieri L, Webber JF (2022) First report of Phytophthora pluvialis in Europe causing resinous cankers on western hemlock. New Disease Reports 45(1), e12064. https://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.12064
Pérez-Sierra A, Chitty R, Eacock A, Wylder B, Biddle M, Quick C, Olivieri L, Crampton M (2024) First report of Phytophthora pluvialis causing cankers on Japanese larch in the United Kingdom. New Disease Reports 49, 12246. https://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.12246
Pirronitto S, Paquet F, Gaucet V, Chandelier A (2024) First report of Phytophthora pluvialis in Douglas fir plantations in Belgium. New Disease Reports 49(1), e12244. https://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.12244
Reeser P, Sutton W, Hansen E (2013) Phytophthora pluvialis, a new species from mixed tanoak-Douglas-fir forests of western Oregon, U.S.A. North American Fungi 8(7), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.2509/naf2013.008.007
Tabima JF, Gonen L, Gómez-Gallego M, Panda P, Grünwald NJ, Hansen EM, Mcdougal R, LeBoldus JM, Williams NM (2021) Molecular phylogenomics and population structure of Phytophthora pluvialis. Phytopathology 111(1), 108-115.
EPPO RS 2021/227, 2022/06, 2022/061, 2023/031, 2024/039, 2024/040