New Pythium Taxa Causing Root Rot on Mediterranean Quercus Species in South-west Spain and Portugal

Pythium spiculum, a recently described new taxon, has been frequently isolated from declining Quercus rotundifolia and Q. suber roots and rhizosphere since 2003 in southern Iberia. In soils of declining Quercus forests this species was found as frequently as Phytophthora cinnamomi which, until now, was the only oomycete described as a Quercus root rot pathogen in the region. Inoculation tests conducted on young Q. rotundifolia plants showed that Py. spiculum is an aggressive root pathogen, although producing severities of symptoms significantly lower than those of P. cinnamomi. This new pathogen could play a role as decline factor in southern Iberia. Another new species, Py. sterilum, was also found to be pathogenic to Quercus roots but there are presently only few records of this organism isolated from rhizosphere of declining oaks in central Spain. More than an active decline factor, this species should be considered as a potential risk for Quercus forests