Unwelcome discovery: Sudden oak loss of life pathogen present in Minnesota for first time

Researchers with the University of Minnesota just lately made an unlucky discovery: A water mould that has devastated forests alongside the West Coast has made its method to Minnesota.

The U of M revealed Tuesday that the sudden oak loss of life pathogen was detected for the primary time in Minnesota again in July at a Hennepin County nursery. Two months later, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirmed the pattern was Phytophthora ramorum — the sudden oak loss of life pathogen.

It’s unhealthy information for the state, which has already seen vital harm from the emerald ash borer, Dutch elm illness and a number of other different main tree illnesses.

Sudden oak loss of life was first present in California in 2000, MDA says. Since then, it’s estimated to have killed as many as 45 million bushes in California and Oregon alone.

Now, it has began spreading east, a critical concern given there isn’t any treatment for the illness.

The excellent news is the U of M says the invention seems to have been an remoted incident because it was discovered at a nursery. That contaminated plant has since been destroyed.

“The MDA visited the site in September and collected samples from susceptible plant hosts, water and soil — all samples tested negative for P. ramorum,” mentioned Michelle Grabowski, a plant pathologist with MDA. “The MDA reported the detection to state officials and will continue to monitor the site.”

U of M researchers say it’s attainable the contaminated plant was shipped to Minnesota, an everyday incidence given the state’s quick rising season. However, that makes it “critical” to watch nurseries and tree farms for illnesses, mentioned Nick Rajtar, a postdoctoral affiliate within the U of M’s Department of Plant Pathology, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.

“We have always had the sudden oak death pathogen on our radar. This early detection shows our biosurveillance methods are working and can reduce the potential impacts of this pathogen — and many others — to cause damage to our natural resources in the state,” Rajtar mentioned.

The U of M’s staff says it’s working intently with growers, the MDA and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to watch for illnesses earlier than they will trigger vital harm within the state.

Anyone who thinks they might have discovered sudden oak loss of life or one other illness is inspired to contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture online.