KY FY25 Phytophthora Ramorum Survey 1S.0115.01

The nursery industry has a large economic impact in the state of Kentucky. In 2017, nursery greenhouse sales in Kentucky were estimated at $83 million and 2021 cash receipts were expected to total $118 million. In 2024, Kentucky has 550 licensed nurseries in the state (a large increase from 495 in 2024) and 925 licensed nursery dealers (data from Office of the State Entomologist); thus, it is an important industry and source of revenue. This survey will allow us to conduct a targeted survey for Phytophthora ramorum which is of concern since many nurseries in Kentucky import nursery stock from the West Coast. Detections in nurseries that ship widely throughout the United States have increased concerns that this disease could appear in other U.S. nurseries and move to susceptible species in the surrounding environment. Many states, including Kentucky, have had trace forwards in recent years. The NAPIS database shows that this disease has been found in several eastern states, many of which are close to Kentucky such as Indiana and Tennessee. Kentucky has been identified as a high-risk area for Phytophthora ramorum because of the extensive oak forests within the state. This disease could also have a severe effect on an economy that depends on the revenue generated from the sale of logs and wood products. According to a report from the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry, the 2022-2023 economic contributions of Kentucky''s forest sector include over $12 billion in direct economic contribution, over $18 billion in total economic contributions, 26,000 jobs in the forest sector and an estimated 57,275 jobs overall (Kentucky Forest Sector Economic Contribution Report 2022-2023). Discovery of this disease could greatly reduce the amount of oak lumber that can be exported overseas from Kentucky and, thus, have devastating economic consequences.