Survival of Phytophthora palmivora in Soil and After Passing Through Alimentary Canals of Snails. T. K. Kueh, Senior Plant Pathologist, Research Centre, Department of Agriculture, Sarawak, Malaysia. K. L. Khew, Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang. Plant Dis. 66:897-899. Accepted for publication 21 August 1981. Copyright 1982 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-66-897.

Vertical distribution of propagules of Phytophthora palmivora morphological form (MF) 4 (cause of foot rot of Piper nigrum) in the field decreases with increasing soil depth and is highest at 0.5–15 cm and very low at 30–45 cm. Soil moisture and pH greatly affected survival of P. palmivora MF4. The optimum soil moisture for survival was 25–45% water-holding capacity, at soil pH 6.5–7.0. The pathogen survived a maximum of 18 mo in its natural habitat, as assessed by continuous baiting. Fungal propagules were found in snail (Achatina fulica) feces in three pepper plantations. Sporangia survived and remained infective after passage through the alimentary canals of two snail species (A. fulica and Hemiplecta crossei).

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