Phytophthora

Phytophthora cinnamomi

A number of different soil dwelling Phytophthora species cause economic loss in crops including ornamental and nursery plants, apples, avocados and many more. Usually associated with water logged soils Phytophthora attacks roots and causes plant decline and even death. Symptoms are not usually obvious and seen as a decline in plant health and vigour.

Related Pests

Botrytis

Botrytis cinerea

Often called grey mould, Botrytis cinerea in wet seasons is responsible for the greatest crop losses in vineyards. Classically appears as bunch infections of browning berries with grey sporulation. Late season berry slip skin is also caused by botrytis. Botrytis can also be an issue in other crops including citrus, kiwifruit, onions strawberries and berryfruits.

Sclerotinia

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Is an important disease of kiwifruit causing crop losses through flower blight, premature fruit drop and fruit scarring. Sclerotinia (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) infects kiwifruit over the flowering period and is favored by warm and moist weather conditions.

Powdery Mildew - Apples

Podospara leucotricha

Powdery mildew (Podospara leucotricha) can be a serious disease of apples in drier areas of New Zealand. Powdery mildew usually attacks young leaves, shoots and flowers with severe infestations stunting trees. Seen as whitish felt patches of spores more commonly on the undersides of leaves but can spread to cover the whole leaf.