Getting the best from pot trials with soil-borne Oomycetes

Abstract Soil-borne Oomycetes are important pathogens of nursery plants, agricultural and horticultural crops, woody plants in natural ecosystems. They most damaging when overwatered or growing poorly drained sites. Poor growth could result from root infection, damage resulting the anoxic conditions which develop saturated soil, both. This is essential information for devising appropriate management options, as these will differ depending on primary cause poor health. Pot experiments often used to determine whether soil-borne infection assumed be by zoospores produced wet soil. Soil saturation followed draining, included part experimental protocol generate inoculum facilitate their movement to, of, plant roots. However, if soil persists until becomes anoxic, this may affect host. In our opinion, can muddle interpretation results, unless there adequate controls include unsaturated effect host absence pathogen. expensive both time equipment. must conducted provide clear answers postulated hypotheses ensure repeatable. We guidelines conducting such pot assist clarifying roles growth, separately combination.