Phytophthora cinnamomi Associated with Root and Crown Rot of Walnut in Turkey

Walnut decline caused by Phytophthora sp. occurred in an orchard in Sakarya province in Turkey. Affected young trees showed poor growth, leaf discolouration, root and crown rot and eventual death. A Phytophthora sp. isolated from necrotic taproots and crown tissues. The causal agent of the disease was identified as Phytophthora cinnamomi by morphological characteristics and comparing sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Upon conducting pathogenicity test, averaging 7.8‐cm‐long canker developed on basal stem within 2 weeks, while no cankers developed in the control plants.