Effect of Phytophthora spp. on kiwifruit in France

Phytophthora root rot disease is common on heavy and wet soil and excessively watered orchards. The fungus was isolated from cortical root rots and collar brown water‐soaked lesions with abrupt margin. We fmd areas of dead trees in orchards of more than 3 years old. On the basis of the morphological characters, isolates are closely related to Phytophthora megasoperma var. sojae . The fungus is virulent under favorable conditions but is weakly agressive.