kernoviae were more acidic tolerant (pH 3–9). These tolerant germinants formed compact hyphae or secondary sporangia to SCH772984 mw allow longer survival of these pathogens. Long-term survival at a broad pH range suggests that these pathogens, especially P. ramorum, are adapted to an aquatic environment and pose a threat to new production areas through water dispersal. Phytophthora alni (Brasier et al., 2004), Phytophthora kernoviae (Brasier et al.,

2005), and Phytophthora ramorum (Werres et al., 2001) are three pathogens of forests and ornamental production areas. Phytophthora ramorum, known for Sudden Oak Death (Rizzo et al., 2002), has been found in Europe and United States since the late 1990s. Phytophthora alni, causing alder mortality in Britain (Brasier et al., 1995) is widespread across Europe (Brasier et al., 2004; Cerny et al., 2008; Solla et al., 2010) and has recently been found in the USA (Schwingle et al., 2007; Adams et al., 2008). Phytophthora kernoviae has been reported in the United Kingdom and shares symptoms and hosts with P. ramorum (Brasier et al., 2005; Ramsfield et al., 2009). The identification and spread of these pathogens has led to increasing concern about their threat to plant biosecurity and natural ecosystems. The horticultural trade has been identified as a major route for

pathogen introduction to new areas, as was demonstrated in the case of P. ramorum (Lane et al., 2003). However, some

pathogens could also spread through wind, runoff, Quisqualic acid and irrigation water (Campbell, 1999; Hong & Moorman, 2005). Phytophthora ramorum has been detected in streams Venetoclax in vivo and effluents of irrigation systems and demonstrated to be spread through an artificial irrigation system (Werres et al., 2007; Tjosvold et al., 2008; Chastagner et al., 2009). Phytophthora alni also has been shown to be able to grow and sporulate in river water (Chandelier et al., 2006). Phytophthora kernoviae is biologically and ecologically similar to P. ramorum (Brasier et al., 2005), thus it may be capable of dispersal by water splash or by irrigation water recycling. Zoospores are believed to be relatively short-lived but how they manage to disperse in irrigation water and natural water ways within their life span is not clear. In fact, some Phytophthora species are continuously recovered from aquatic environments despite the fact that their populations decline with increasing distance from the entrance of runoff water in irrigation reservoirs (Hong et al., 2003; Hong & Moorman, 2005; Werres et al., 2007; Tjosvold et al., 2008; Chastagner et al., 2009). It has been found that there are diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in pH from 6.5 to 10.3 in irrigation water reservoirs (Hong et al., 2009). Apparently, zoospores or other life stages have to adapt to a wide range of pH in order to survive in and be dispersed by water.