Introduction
Ideal opportunities for research arise from undiagnosed plant samples. Projects are based on the identification, biology and control of disease pathogens of significant impact on garden plants. Both molecular techniques and more traditional analyses are used to study the characteristics of pathogenic and predatory organisms, plant health and growth.
Phytophthora is a significant root disease, especially of woody ornamentals. New and conventional techniques are being developed for its rapid diagnosis with assistance from Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Halle, Germany. The incidence of Phytophthora and some other diseases in the RHS Garden at Wisley is also monitored.
Different strains and species of this fungus differ in their damage to plants. DNA based techniques are being used to distinguish these species (collaboration with the University of Wageningen, The Netherlands and Birkbeck College, London University). Further work concerns the survival and spread of the fungus in organic mulches and soil with the increasing use of mulches in gardens.
New diseases
The pathology group maintain an awareness of new diseases appearing in gardens. Three current studies are a new fungus, Cylindrocladium, causing leaf blight in box (collaboration with Reading University), and an unnamed virus causing hellebore black death (collaboration with Imperial College, London University and Horticulture Research International). Dogwood anthracnose causes serious damage in the USA and has been seen in UK since 1995. A study on the genetics of the Discula species involved is underway.
Research papers are being produced from these studies, contributing to the international understanding of these plant diseases.
Disease mapping at Wisley
This long-term project seeks to build up a record of the occurrence of certain diseases with RHS Garden Wisley. The main emphasis is on slow-spreading, mostly soil-borne diseases, in the hope of indicating local factors that may influence their spread and severity. It is also hoped that the data will provide a foundation for future research on disease transmission and control. Data are being recorded on the RHS Horticultural Database. Main diseases being recorded are: sclerotinia (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), Phytophthora, and honey fungus (Armillaria). The pattern of spread of these diseases can then be monitored through time and space. Other diseases also being mapped are fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) and bracket fungi.
Garden management for wildlife
There is an increasing trend towards the support for wild species and naturalistic design in gardens. Staff from several departments are involved in monitoring biodiversity in RHS Garden Wisley and promoting wildlife diversity among gardeners.
River Wey Embankment Project
Biodiversity at the RHS
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