Vegetable Research & Innovation

Root Rot of Pea

Oomycete plant pathogens cause diseases on a wide range of vegetable crops in New Zealand. They are traditionally more difficult to control than non-Oomucetous fungi, as they are not susceptible to most conventional fungicides. Recently, a number of reports have emerged in the scientific literature pertaining to biological control of these fungi using microbial antagonists. We are investigating the potential for biological control of two Oomycete plant pathogens which are important in New Zealand; Aphanomyces root rot of pea, caused by Aphanomyces euteiches and damping-off of lettuce caused by Pythium ultimum