Phytophthora citrophthora is the predominant Phytophthora species in Syrian citrus groves

Abstract

A survey on Phytophthora spp. in the soils and roots of citrus groves was carried out in the main Syrian growing areas of Lattakia and Tartous. Traditional assays (selective medium with soil dilution plates) were used for pathogen detection, and molecular (PCR) assays were used for unanmbiguous identification of P. nicotianae and P. citrophtora in 38.5% of the collected samples. In both locations, P. citrophthora was the predominant species.