Canadian Forest Service Publications
An Overview of Canadian Research Activities on Diseases caused by Phytophthora ramorum: Results, Progress and Challenges. 2018. Shamoun, S.F.; Rioux, D., Callan, B., James, D., Hamelin, R.C.. Bilodeau, G.J., Elliott, M.; Lévesque, C.A., Becker, E., McKenney, D., Pedlar, J., Bailey, K., Brière, S.C., Niquidet, K., Allen, E.
Year: 2018
Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 39202
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-11-17-1730-FE
† This site may require a fee
Abstract
International trade and travel are the driving forces behind the spread of invasive plant pathogens around the world, and human-mediated movement of plants and plant products is now generally accepted as the primary mode of their introduction, resulting in huge disturbance to ecosystems and severe socio-economic impact. These problems are exacerbated under the present conditions of rapid climatic change. We report an overview of the Canadian research activities on Phytophthora ramorum. Since the first discovery and subsequent eradication of P. ramorum on infected ornamentals in nurseries in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2003, a research team of Canadian government scientists representing the Canadian Forest Service, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada worked together over a 10-year period and have significantly contributed to many aspects of research and risk assessment on this pathogen. The overall objectives of the Canadian research efforts were to gain a better understanding of the molecular diagnostics of P. ramorum, its biology, host-pathogen interactions, and management options. With this information, it was possible to develop pest risk assessments and evaluate the environmental and economic impact and future research needs and challenges relevant to P. ramorum and other emerging forest Phytophthora spp.
Plain Language Summary
The purpose of the review article is to summarize most of the research activities that were conducted by the Canadian scientists in the Government laboratories, including NRCan-CFS, CFIA and AAFC on diseases caused by Phytophthora ramorum since its first in discovery in 2003 on infected ornamentals in nurseries in BC. The overall objectives of the Canadian research efforts on P. ramorum pathosystem were to gain a better understanding of the biology, management options, host-pathogen interactions, molecular diagnostics and risk assessment and analyses of P. ramorum. With this information, it was possible to help develop pest risk analyses (PRA) and assess environmental and economic impacts and future research needs and challenges relevant to P. ramorum and but also to some other emerging forest Phytophthora spp. The scientific impact of the review article is mainly to enhance further knowledge and information on P. ramorum and its impact on Canadian flora and other issues relevant in particular to trade considerations.
