Global threats from Phytophthora spp. (PHYTO-THREATS)

Understanding drivers of emergence and opportunities for mitigation through nursery best practice

The PHYTO-THREATS project aims to address the risks to UK forest and woodland ecosystems from Phytophthora by examining the distribution and diversity of Phytophthoras in UK plant nursery systems. It also aims to provide the scientific evidence to support nursery ‘best practice’ accreditation criteria to mitigate risk of further Phytophthora introduction and spread.

Final report

The multidisciplinary ‘Phyto-threats’ project was initiated in 2016 to address the increasing risks to UK forest and woodland ecosystems from trade-disseminated Phytophthora as implicated in the recent upsurge of Phytophthora diseases in the UK and the establishment and spread of these pathogens in the wider UK environment in diseased propagation material. The project focused on understanding the drivers of emergence of Phytophthora species and opportunities for mitigation by; i) examining the distribution and diversity of Phytophthoras in different UK plant nursery management systems to identify high risk nursery practices, ii) conducting feasibility assessments with nursery managers, consumers and other stakeholders to identify economic and social opportunities and barriers to implementation of best practice, iii) identifying future global Phytophthora threats through modelling biological traits and environmental profiles, and iv) analysing genome sequences of Phytophthora species to gain genetic insights into what makes a species virulent.

Download project final report (PDF, 1.0MB)

Participants

Would you like to participate in this project ?

We would like to work with industry to ensure healthy, high value plants. We are looking for plant nurseries and traders to participate in this project by sharing your expertise and experiences with us and by allowing us to sample water and plants at regular intervals during the course of the project. We will provide you with information about your Phytophthora risk and work with you to reduce it. All published data on nursery findings will be anonymous.

Please contact Sarah Green or see the FAQ page for more information.

Related documents

• Participants flyer

Participants FAQ

Q: What can I expect in terms of having my premises sampled?

A: Project staff or Plant Health inspectors will sample at least twice a year over the three year duration of the project. At each sampling we will collect water from various locations on the premises. Root and foliage samples will also be taken from plants in such a way so as not to require the destruction of sampled plants.

Q: When will we get results back?

A: We will aim to provide you with your results within three months of sampling. Results may be provided earlier if specifically requested.

Q: What actions are taken if a Phytophthora is found?

A: If a Phytophthora is found which is known to be present in the UK and is not listed as a quarantine or regulated pathogen no action would be required but we would provide advice on disease management.

If a novel or quarantine regulated Phytophthora is found, the Plant Health authorities would have to be informed and are in fact partners in this project. The DNA detection method used in this project (“meta-barcoding”) is new and cannot be used alone for statutory action. Any findings would need to be officially validated through follow-up visits in order to confirm positive results with alternative and established detection methods. For the regulated Phytophthoras (e.g. P. ramorum, P. kernoviae, P. lateralis, P. austrocedri) the usual statutory actions would apply. For novel Phytophthoras actions would be based on individual risk assessments and decisions made by the relevant authorities.

Statutory actions are only usually taken on suspicion or confirmation of infected plants, although recommendations are given for infected soil or water.

Please contact Sarah Green if you are interested in taking part.