J. Sanchez et al., Suitability of ten plant baits for the rapid detection of pathogenic Pythium species in hydroponic crops, EUR J PL P, 106(3), 2000, pp. 209-214
Ten types of plant baits were tested in the laboratory to assess their capa
city to detect pathogenic Pythium species. These were orange tree leaves, t
omato leaves, pepper leaves, geranium leaves, Bermuda grass leaves, pine ne
edles, immature carnation petals, hemp-seed cotyledons, pepper and cucumber
fruits. The Pythium spp. tested were P. aphanidermatum, P. irregulare and
Pythium 'group F' from hydroponic market garden crops in the Poniente regio
n of Almeria (south-east Spain). The test consisted of observing the veloci
ty at which five baits were colonized and the day of colonization of the fi
rst bait. Results indicated that the slowest baits to be infected were imma
ture carnation petals and pine needles. These two, together with Bermuda gr
ass leaves, were also the baits infected in lowest number, such that practi
cally no further infection was produced in the baits after the fifth day of
contact with the inoculated water. The other plant baits tested were equal
ly suitable for detection of Pythium spp. over the first two days, although
only orange leaves and hemp-seed cotyledons were infected on the first day
.