PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT-ROT OF KIWIFRUIT IN CHILE

LATORRE, BA; ALVAREZ, C; RIBEIRO, OK

PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT-ROT OF KIWIFRUIT IN CHILE

Date

1991

Authors

LATORRE, BA

ALVAREZ, C

RIBEIRO, OK

Abstract

Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) has become a major fruit crop for exportation in Chile totalling about 30,000,000 t each year. A decline associated with a severe root rot has frequently appeared in 1- to 5-yr-old kiwifruit vines in the central zone of Chile. Our results demonstrate the presence of pathogenic isolates of Phytophthora cryptogea and P. citrophthora associated with diseased plants. This is the first report of these pathogens affecting kiwi in Chile. They are a potential threat for kiwi production, particularly in poorly drained soils.