Progress in Research on Phytophthora Diseases of Forest Trees : Proceedings of the Third International IUFRO Working Party S07.02.09 Meeting at Freising, Germany, 11-18 September 2004
This publication represents the third in a series covering research progress reported by members of IUFRO Working Group 7.02.09, Phytophthora Diseases of Forest Trees. This IUFRO Group was set up by forest pathologists from the USA, UK and Australia in 1998 as a result of their growing concern over the upsurge of Phytophthora pathogens of trees world-wide. The first and second meeting of the Working Group were in Oregon, USA and Albany, Western Australia in 1999 and 2002. This third meeting of the Group was held in Freising, Bavaria, Germany in September 2004. It brought together 90 forest Phytophthora researchers from 17 countries. Local organisers Thomas Jung and Wolfgang Oßwald of the Bavarian State Institute of Forestry, Freising and the Munich Technical University were ably supported by students and by colleagues from the Institute administration. The academic programme was organised by Clive Brasier, European Chair of IUFRO 7.02.09. The Freising meeting began with a two-day field trip in Bavaria and Austria. A major subject of the field trip was the serious damage being inflicted on riparian n alders in Bavaria, and elsewhere in Europe, by the spread of the new hybrid alder Phytophthora, P alni. Another was the increasing Phytophthora damage to beech in Bavarian forests and across Europe. Four days of formal lectures and poster sessions followed. These again reflected many areas where invasive Phytophthoras are making a significant impact. In addition to those mentioned above, they included the damage caused by P. cinnamomi to natural ecosystems in Australia; the role of P. cinnamomi in cork oak mortality in Iberia; and of P. cambivora in mortality of chestnuts across southern Europe; the threat to native Chamaecyparis lawsononia from P. lateralis in Oregon and California; and the impact of P. ramorum, the 'sudden oak death' pathogen, on forests in Oregon and California and on trees in UK and The Netherlands. An additional half-day field trip to discuss Phytophthora involvement in the current deciduous oak decline in Europe helped to break the intensity. As the present publication will show, the topics covered within these areas were comprehensive, ranging from disease management, pathways and pathogen ecology to taxonomy, mechanisms of pathogenesis, pathogen population structure and molecular diagnostics. The scientific issues were presented with enthusiasm and dedication by many young researchers, some of whom are already making groundbreaking discoveries. Ensuing discussions were lively and often extended. The relaxed atmosphere of the meeting was greatly enhanced by the excellent food and accommodation provided at the Kardinal-Döpfner Haus, Freising and by a fine Bavarian traditional food, music and dance event on the final evening.
