The genus Phytophthora, known as the "plant destroyer", is one of the most important group of disease causing organisms. This genus contains the potato blight pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, and the sudden oak death pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum. Currently the latter species is classified as invasive, and a second one, Phytophthora kernoviae, is about to be placed in this category. Intensive surveys for the presence of these new potentially deadly pathogens have been underway and will continue with funding to search for the second invasive species. Whether or not additional new species with potential destructiveness are found, there are older known species which can erupt at any time and severely damage our crop plants. Correctly identifying them to species level is the first critical step in mitigating crop health risk locally and ensuring plant biosecurity globally.
The new identification key, Phytophthora: Identifying Species by Morphology and DNA Fingerprints, enables diagnosticians and regulatory personnel as well as researchers to identify Phytophthora species with speed and confidence. There were only about 50 identified species when the last key was published in 1990, but now that species number is approaching 100. In addition, there have been tremendous efforts in search of a reliable, high-resolution molecular character for rapid identification. Phytophthora: Identifying Species by Morphology and DNA Fingerprints presents a new key, integrating the classical morphological approach and a new DNA fingerprinting technique called PCR-SSCP. The dichotomous key uses minimal morphological characters, followed by pictorial illustrations. The DNA fingerprint key uses only the rDNA-ITS region amplified with a single pair of primers; a detailed step-by-step fingerprinting protocol is provided.
A total of 652 original photos are included to illustrate individual species covered as well as a partial list of other molecular characters used for description of new species and differentiation of existing species in recent years. Phytophthora: Identifying Species by Morphology and DNA Fingerprints will be an excellent resource for those who are interested in identifying Phytophthora species. Sixty of the important species and taxons are presented in the book. Also, the framework of the identification keys in the book will readily accept the introduction of additional species as they are studied and described.
Chapter 1: The Morphological Key
Appendixes
General procedures for morphological identification
Illustrations of definitive morphological characters
Growth media and methods
Chapter 2: The DNA Fingerprint Key
Appendixes
The PCR-SSCP protocol
A partial list of other molecular fingerprinting techniques
Chapter 3: Morphological Characters and DNA Fingerprints of Individual Species
Phytophthora alni
Phytophthora boehmeriae
Phytophthora botryosa
Phytophthora cactorum
Phytophthora cajani
Phytophthora cambivora
Phytophthora capsici
Phytophthora cinnamomi var. cinnamomi
Phytophthora cinnamomi var. parvispora
Phytophthora citricola I
Phytophthora citricola II
Phytophthora citricola III
Phytophthora citrophthora
Phytophthora clandestina
Phytophthora colocasiae
Phytophthora cryptogrea
Phytophthora drechsleri
Phytophthora erythroseptica
Phytophthora europaea
Phytophthora fragariae
Phytophthora hedraiandra
Phytophthora heveae
Phytophthora hibernalis
Phytophthora humicola
Phytophthora idaei
Phytophthora ilicis
Phytophthora infestans
Phytophthora insolita
Phytophthora inundata
Phytophthora iranica
Phytophthora katsurae
Phytophthora lateralis
Phytophthora meadii
Phytophthora medicaginis
Phytophthora megakarya
Phytophthora megasperma I
Phytophthora megasperma II
Phytophthora megasperma III
Phytophthora melonis
Phytophthora mexicana
Phytophthora mirabilis
Phytophthora nemorosa
Phytophthora nicotianae
Phytophthora palmivora
Phytophthora phaseoli
Phytophthora pistaciae
Phytophthora porri
Phytophthora primulae
Phytophthora pseudosyringae
Phytophthora pseudotsugae
Phytophthora pshychrophila
Phytophthora quercina
Phytophthora ramorum
Phytophthora rubi
Phytophthora sojae
Phytophthora syringae
Phytophthora tentaculata
Phytophthora trifolii
Phytophthora tropicalis
Appendix: Host, geographic origin, provider, and culture deposits of key isolates
Glossary
Literature Cited
Index
" [...] the authors have done a great service to bring a lot of the relevant information together in this book. Books on this important genus of plant pathogens from a quality publisher of reference books such as APS do not come along very often. This book is a must for everyone directly dealing with Phytophthora disease and I am sure they will keep it within handy reach on the bookshelf [...] highly recommended for almost every researcher in Phytophthora as a reference guide to the species they are working with."
– Chronica Horticulturae, International Society of Horticulture Science
"This book is especially well prepared in that it presents an updated key, integrating the classical morphological approach and a new DNA fingerprinting technique."
– FUNGI
"This book will be throughout the world an excellent resource for these who are interested in identifying Phytophthora species."
– Dr. Theo Wetzel, Archives of Phytopathology & Plant Protection
"It provides a convenient source of information."
– CABI
"This identification manual represents an important and useful addition to a plant disease diagnostician's bookshelf."
– Inoculum
" [...] very helpful for plant pathologists to identify old or new Phytophthora species."
– Journal of Plant Pathology
"The publication makes Phytophthoras more accessible to those interested in these fascinating organisms. All mycological and phytopathological libraries should have this key."
– Czech Mycology
"If you want to identify Phytophthora species, this is your book! Anyone interested in Phytophthora should have this book. It is useful for teaching, laboratory identification and basic research. Congratulations on a lovely and useful book! It is essential for all libraries, agriculture centers, universities, plant pathologists, researchers and extenionists."
– Fungal Diversity