Summary:

Utilisation of plants or their parts for detection of Phytophthora from soil and water was the interesting object in the second part of XX century. Using of fruits, seedlings, seeds of different plant species gave possibility to detect the most dangerous pathogens. In this study the effectiveness of rhododendron leaves as the bait for detection of Phytophthora, Cylindrocladium scoparium, formae spec. of Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani from water and horticultural substrate was estimated. During the detection of Phytophthora from river, canal and water container rhododendron top leaves were placed on the surface of water and after 4-5 days number of necrotic spots/leaf was estimated. Parts of necrotic spots were transplanted on PDA medium for isolation and identification of species. In the detection of other species from substrate, rhododendron leaves were placed in the water suspension of soil and after 3-5 day-incubation number of necrotic spots /leaf was calculated. The necrotic spot parts were transferred on PDA medium for isolation and identification of fungal species. Results obtained indicated on rhododendron leaves as satisfactory bait for detection of the most dangerous pathogens from water and soil. The method is easy for application and may be used for all year round.