Behaviour of the asexual spores of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the root exudates of Acacia pulchella

Jayasekera, A., McComb, J., Hardy, G. and Shearer, B. (2006) Behaviour of the asexual spores of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the root exudates of Acacia pulchella. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International (IUFRO) Conference on Phytophthora in Forests and Natural Ecosystems, 11 - 18 September 2004, Freising, Germany.

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Abstract

Axenic spore suspensions were made with motile zoospores, the main infective spores of P. cinnamomi and chlamydospores, the asexual resting spores. Root exudates were collected from two Acacia species, P. cinnamomi resistant A. pulchella and susceptible A. urophylla. Sterile distilled water was used as a control. Using a micro pipette the spore suspensions were placed in a well of a cavity slide followed by addition of the exudate solutions. The behaviour of the spores was recorded under a light microscope. Spore germination, lysis and survival were observed during a 24H period. This is the first bioassay conducted with the asexual spores of P. cinnamomi and the information provided the basis for understanding the mechanism of suppression of P. cinnamomi. Studies are currently examining the chemical compound(s) which causes this suppressive effect.