Distribution of Two Species of Phytophthora Within the Citrus Acreage in Arizona

Pkvtophthora citrophthora and P. parasitica cause gummosis and root rot of citrus trees in Arizona. A disease survey was initiated to determine the relative distribution of each pathogen within the citrus acreage of Maricopa and Yuma Counties. Both pathogens were recovered at the same time from 75% and 17% of orchards containing Phytophthora in Maricopa and Yuma County, respectively. P. citrophthora alone was found in 15% of the groves containing Phytophthora in Yuma County, while P. parasitica alone was detected in 25% and 68% of the citrus plantings containing Phytophthora in Maricopa and Yuma County, respectively. This survey will be continued for another year. The potential value of this information for improved disease control is discussed