Effect of Soil Water Content and Soil Texture on <i>Phytophthora cinnamomic</i> Infection on Cork and Holm Oak

Phytophthora cinnamomi is an important soil borne plant pathogen, associated to decline of cork and holm oak stands in Iberian Peninsula. This results from a complex biotic abiotic interactions culminating root infection. Field observations sites suggested enhancement moisture texture processes. Greenhouse assays were developed evaluate the impact on severity infection both species. Seedlings potted P. infested soils with different textures (loamy-sand, clay silty- loam) combined watering regimes (flooding, normal irrigation, irrigation till wilting field capacity). The was assessed through biomass, water consumption severity. caused either losses biomass (root shoot) as plants consumption, species, depending texture. Holm more susceptible than oak, higher mortality degradation. To minimize risk infection, managing appeared be essential condition optimize growth survival taking also into account soil.