New idea to destroy plant fungal infection

A new heat treatment to destroy infected plants is to be used on Cannock Chase to stem the spread of fungal infection.

Phytophthora pseudosyringae has been affecting wild bilberry at the beauty spot since January, 2009.

Staffordshire County Council's environment team has been using treatments normally used in agriculture. The council is now applying for permission to site an insulated shipping container behind Marquis Drive Visitor Centre at Hednesford to be used for the heat treatment.

Part of the control strategy is the destruction of infected vegetation.

This has so far been done through mowing and burning of the cut material.

The heat treatment will be done without cutting.

It promises to be a faster method of dealing with infections in small areas, but the results may be unsightly.

Regrowth in the treated areas is showing signs of secondary infection from resting spores in the soil.

That is likely to mean further treatments will be necessary to eradicate the disease.

The first area to be affected by the disease was a stand of bilberry in Brocton Coppice.

There was evidence of die back and black, diseased patches on the shoots.

Some plants had died out completely.

Confirmed Phytophthora infections are generally restricted to the northern part of the country park,

The Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation is of international importance for its heathland plants, including bilberry and cowberry.

Heather and sessile oak, the dominant species in Brocton Coppice, are both potential hosts of Phytophthora species.

There is currently no evidence that they are infected.

Phytophthora spreads through producing spores which can survive for years in leaf litter and soil.

They can be carried in mud on footwear, vehicle tyres and on animal feet.

Visitors are still being asked to keep to the main tracks and not to stray into the vegetation.

Dog walkers are urged to keep their pets on short leads at all times in the main affected areas.