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Novel phosphite and nutrient application to control Phytophthora cinnamomi disease

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Abstract

Systemic treatment of stems with injections of phosphite liquid and novel soluble capsule implants of phosphite, PHOSCAP® (phosphorous, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper, magnesium and molybdenum) and MEDICAP MD® (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, iron, manganese, and zinc), were applied to Banksia grandis and Eucalyptus marginata trees to control Phytophthora cinnamomi. Four weeks after treatment application, excised branches were under-bark inoculated with P. cinnamomi. In B. grandis, phosphite implants and liquid injections significantly reduced lesion length compared to the control, and MEDICAP MD® implants; however, there was no significant difference in lesion length between trees treated with phosphite implants and liquid injections and PHOSCAP implants. In E. marginata, phosphite implants and liquid injections significantly reduced lesion length compared to the control, PHOSCAP® and MEDICAP MD® implants. In B. grandis and E. marginata, PHOSCAP® and MEDICAP MD® implants reduced the average lesion length compared to the control; however, the interactions were not significant. Results show that both liquid phosphite injections and novel phosphite implants are effective at controlling lesion extension in B. grandis and E. marginata, caused by P. cinnamomi. Further work is required to determine if nutrient application reduces Phytophthora disease through improving plant health.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Tan Dang at the University of Vietnam, for assistance and input into this study. We thank Mr Bryan Wolfe and Creative Sales Inc. for the development and supply of phosphite implants for this trial.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Phytophthora Science and Management, School of Veterinary and Life Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia

    P. M. Scott, P. A. Barber & G. E. St.J. Hardy

  2. Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health, School of Veterinary and Life Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia

    P. M. Scott, P. A. Barber & G. E. St.J. Hardy

  3. Scion. New Zealand Forest Research Institute, Rotorua, New Zealand

    P. M. Scott

  4. Arbor Carbon Pty Ltd, Environmental and Arboricultural Consultants, Perth, WA, Australia

    P. A. Barber

Authors
  1. P. M. Scott
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  2. P. A. Barber
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  3. G. E. St.J. Hardy
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Correspondence to G. E. St.J. Hardy.

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Scott, P.M., Barber, P.A. & Hardy, G.E.S. Novel phosphite and nutrient application to control Phytophthora cinnamomi disease. Australasian Plant Pathol. 44, 431–436 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-015-0365-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-015-0365-4

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