algae control

Because Phytophthora species are close relatives of brown algae, algae control methods may be useful in reducing water infestation by Phytophthoras. Check out this tip on the WA Adopt-A-Stream website:

"Are you experiencing problems with algae in small lakes or ponds? A recent issue of Organic Gardening magazine (May/June 1999) reported that by using nylon sacks filled with barley straw can severely retard algal growth. The results have been duplicated by British researchers, but thus far, the researchers are unable to explain how and why it works. Organic Gardening recommends practitioners use three ounces of barley straw per square yard of a pond's surface for best results. Wheat straw and corn stalks are also effective, but must by applied at slightly higher concentrations. These methods are both inexpensive and more importantly, are harmless to fish."

2008 Washington nursery inspections

Washington State Department of Agriculture Plant Services Specialists inspected 320 production nurseries and 538 retail nurseries, and processed 19,965 samples for P. ramorum in 2008. Five of the nurseries inspected were placed under USDA Emergency Action Notification for the pathogen (1 landscape/wholesaler in Clark County, 1 retailer and 1 wholesaler in King County, 1 landscape/wholesaler in Snohomish County, and 1 landscape/wholesaler in Thurston County). Only one of the nurseries was a repeat positive. Since 2004, Washington has had fewer P. ramorum-positive nurseries each year.

One wholesale nursery in King County, WA, and another in Clark County, WA, each had a single PCR positive sample found during 2008 inspections; however, symptomatic plants were not found during a second inspection at either facility. Consequently, neither fell under USDA regulation due to the new Potentially Actionable Suspect Sample protocol, which requires a second positive sample be confirmed before federal action is taken. The positive blocks at both sites have been destroyed.

From COMTF February 2009 newsletter

Felt soled wading shoes spread water-borne diseases

Here is one more way that P. ramorum can spread into remote areas:

"Actually, it's not Baby who needs the new shoes -- it's Dad. But the old crapshooting reference is appropriate because every time we anglers travel from one trout stream to another we're rolling the dice with nature. Our wading shoes, especially the felt-soled variety, pick up tiny organisms that remain alive in the porous material and squirt free to take up residence in the next stream we fish. In this manner are some of the most pernicious, trout-threatening invasive species such as the parasite that causes whirling disease and the stream-choking algae known, not fondly, as rock snot spread from one stream to another. Extensive research has shown conclusively that felt soles have been responsible for much of the spread of whirling disease, didymo and other pest species. Now, Trout Unlimited is campaigning to make felt-soled wading shoes and boots obsolete. TU is asking the manufacturers of fishing gear to stop production of felt-soled boots and boot-foot waders by the year 2011."

See website below for complete story.

maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/blogentry.html?id=10545

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