PROVING PHYTOPHTHORA FUNGUS IS NOT THE PRIMARY PATHOGEN FOR SUDDEN OAK DEATH IN CALIFORNIA

We inserted the phytophthora fungus into potted trees and they produced lesions.  However, young trees can successfully compartmentalize the lesions produced by the fungus, especially if the trees are fertilized with the phosphite fertilizer.  The main point is, trees and shrubs do not die only from fungal infection.  The predispositional factors must be in place in order for tree death to occur.  So, the primary pathogen is not the fungus, but the environmental factors of ozone, acid rain, nitrate deposition- the manmade factors.  In essence modern man is the primary pathogen! 

Photos & caption provided by:

Ralph Zingaro
Bioscape, Inc.
4381 Bodega Avenue
Petaluma, CA 94952

E-mail: ralph@bioscape.com
Web site: www.bioscape.com

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Contact Gerry Hawkes: ghawkes@eco-systems.org