Phytophthora Root Rot of Chinese Cabbage and Spinach Caused by P. drechsleri in Korea

Phytophthora root rot of Chniese cabbage and spinach is reported for the first time in Korea. The diseases ocurred at Yangju, Seosan and Yeocheon in Korea from 1995 through 1998, mainly in lowland and submerged areas. Symptoms consisted of stunt, yellows, wilt and eventual death due to root rot. Fourteen isolates collected from naturally infected plants were all identified as P. drechsleri based on mycological characteristics. PCR-RFLP analysis of rDNA of the isolates confirmed the above result, since the restriction band patterns of the small subunit and internal transcribed spacers were identical to P. drechsleri and P. cryptogea, but distinct from closely related species of P. erythroseptica, P. cambivora, P. sojae and P. megasperma. The pathogen showed strong pathogenicity to Chinese cabbage, moderate to spinach, radish, cabbage and tomato, and weak or none to brown mustard, kale, chicory and pepper in pathogenicity tests.