0000000000451549
AUTHOR
Biruta Bankina
Powdery mildew on Rhododendron caused by Erysiphe azaleae in Latvia.
In 2002 a fungus causing powdery mildew on Rhododendron in Latvia was discovered and identified as Erysiphe azaleae. The powdery mildew has since then been observed on leaves and seed pods of deciduous azaleas as well as evergreen rhododendrons, although the disease is more common on taxa of deciduous azaleas. Development of mature chasmothecia has been noticed at every location where the disease was detected. The distribution area of E. azaleae is expanding gradually from the south-west and central regions to the north and east parts of Latvia. It has been suggested, that climate change and large-scale plant import favour this process. To our knowledge, Latvia is so far the farthest north-…
Plant diseases a herald of environmental changes
Environmental changes can alter morphology and physiology of plants, and geographic distribution of both wild and cultural species. All these modifications reflect in plant-associated microflora and development of plant pathogens as well. Climate warming causes a pole-ward shift not only different plants but also their pathogens. Poster in 4th International Conference of Botanic Gardens from the Baltic Sea Region "Botanic gardens network for the development of the Baltic Sea Region", 29 September - 2 October, 2011, Gdansk, Poland