Outbreak of Phytophthora Rot on Pear Under Environmental Conditions Favorable to the Disease

From April to May 1998, Phytophthora rot on pear, which has not been reported in Korea before, became an epidemic in the southeast part of the country under abnormally higher temperature and prolonged rainy days. Average temperature was about $3^{\circ}$ higher than in normal years, and 29 days were rainy during the 2 months in the areas surveyed. Over 1,000 orchards estimated at about 270 ha in 19 cultivation areas were infected by the disease, which occurred on all parts of the tree such as leaves, shoots, branches, stems, and flower clusters. Among 43 isolates collected from various locations and plant parts, 41 were identified as Phytophthora cactorum while 2 were identified as P. cambivora based on their mycological characteristics. The representative isolates revealed strong pathogenicity not only to pear but also to apple and peach. Among 23 pear cultivars tested, 7 were estimated as susceptible, 4 were moderate, and 11 were resistant to the pathogen. Results suggest that Phytophthora disease on pear is a potential threat to pear cultivation when environmental factors are favorable to disease development.