Phytophthora Root Rot of Kiwifruit in Chile. B. A. Latorre, Professor, and C. Alvarez, Research Assistant, Facultad de Agronomía, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Casilla 6177, Santiago, Chile; and O. K. Ribeiro, Consultant Plant Pathologist and President, Microbiotica International, 10744 N. E. Manitou Beach Drive, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. Plant Dis. 75:949-952. Accepted for publication 19 March 1991. Copyright 1991 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-75-0949.
 

Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) has become a major fruit crop for exportation in Chile totalling about 30,000,000 t each year. A decline associated with a severe root rot has frequently appeared in 1- to 5-yr-old kiwifruit vines in the central zone of Chile. Our results demonstrate the presence of pathogenic isolates of Phytophthora cryptogea and P. citrophthora associated with diseased plants. This is the first report of these pathogens affecting kiwi in Chile. They are a potential threat for kiwi production, particularly in poorly drained soils.