PA Response Research Projects - Detection of Phytophthora taxon Agathis (PTA)
Title information
Author/s
R. Beever, S. Bellgard, M. Dick, I. Horner, T.Ramsfield
Research provider
Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research
Scion
Status
Completed
Year
2010
Objectives
To develop a methods that will (1) optimise the detection of PA in soil samples; (2) be robust and verifiable method to collect soil samples in a cost-effective manner (3) be robust and verifiable to collect lesion samples and to maximise detection probability in a cost effective manner; (4) determine whether there is a set of field symptoms that allows for reliable diagnosis of PA in the field, and if so describe these symptoms.
Outcomes
Development of a robust soil baiting method to detect PA in soil samples and a soil sampling methodology to maximise probability of detection developed. A method to collect lesion samples developed also. There is not a set of definitive field symptoms that allows for reliable visual diagnosis of PA in the field, however there is a strong association with gummosis at the tree base and the presence of PA.