A chlamydospore wall thickness - Is it the key factor in the survival of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Australia?

Chlamydospores are the asexual reproductive structures of Phytophthora cinnamomi first described by Rands in 1922. It is often stated in the literature that P. cinnamomi chlamydospores may be thin or thick-walled dormant structures but experimental evidence to support both these claims is limited and ambiguous. Most literature concerns thin-walled chlamydospores and there is little evidence for the existence of thick-walled chlamydospores. There is a significant lack of knowledge as to the actual role these structures play in the long-term survival of P. cinnamomi. Current work regarding these structures involves the insertion of the GUS and GFP genes into P. cinnamomi to allow us to observe the pathogen under non-sterile laboratory conditions. These include studies on chlamydospore dormancy, production, survival and germination (including the effect of phosphite) as well as saprophytic ability of the pathogen.