Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of site and rate of low-volume aerial phosphite spray on lesion development of Phytophthora cinnamomi and phosphite persistence in Lambertia inermis var. inermis and Banksia grandis

  • Published:
Australasian Plant Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The influence of site on effectiveness of low-volume spray of phosphite for the control of Phytophthora cinnamomi was compared between sites differing in soil nutrient status. The sites ranged from infertile deep grey sands to a red loam in the Esperance Plains bioregion, and infertile gravelly sand of the Havel site-vegetation type P to a red loam of Havel site-vegetation typeQin the northern Jarrah Forest bioregion. Following low-volume spray of 0, 24 or 48 kg phosphite/ha, phosphite effectiveness was determined from assessment of rate of colonisation and inhibition of stem colonisation by P. cinnamomi, and stem phosphite concentration in challenge inoculation stems of Lambertia inermis var. inermis in Esperance Plains bioregion sites and Banksia grandis in Jarrah Forest bioregion sites. Phosphite effectiveness was mainly influenced by plant species rather than site. Phosphite spray significantly controlled P. cinnamomi colonisation in B. grandis, but not in L. inermis var. inermis. Site had no consistent influence on the effect of phosphite on P. cinnamomi despite large differences in soil nutrient status between sites. Differences between sites and site ranking changed with inoculation time and rate of phosphite spray, and duplicate sites differed significantly from each other. Site, rate of phosphite spray, time after spray and plant species significantly affected stem phosphite concentrations. In both Esperance Plains bioregion and Jarrah Forest bioregion sites, stem phosphite concentrations were greatest in fertile loam sites and least in infertile sand or gravelly sand sites. Stem phosphite concentrations increased with rate of phosphite spray with concentrations in stems receiving 48 kg phosphite/ha being 1.2 to 3-times-greater than that in stem sprayed with 24 kg phosphite/ha. Six months after low-volume spray, phosphite concentrations in L. inermis var. inermis stems had declined for all sites and spray rates to only 4–17% of original concentrations. Decline of phosphite concentrations in B. grandis stems was slower than that for L. inermis var. inermis stems. The results indicate that effectiveness of phosphite against P. cinnamomi infection in different communities will depend more on plant species composition than soil nutrient status. Differences in phosphite effectiveness between plant species may be related to differences in phosphite concentration thresholds yet to be quantified, above which tissue concentrations must be achieved before inhibition of P. cinnamomi colonisation occurs. In rapid colonisation/phosphite low-responsive species such as L. inermis var. inermis, the threshold may be greater than that required for a response in a rapid colonisation/phosphite high-response species such as B. grandis. These results demonstrate the need to determine thresholds for individual plant species and in different environments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Afek U, Sztejnberg A (1989) Effects of Fosetyl-Al and phosphorus acid on scoparone, a phytoalexin associated with resistance of citrus to Phytophthora citrophthora. Phytopathology 79, 736–739. doi: 10.1094/Phyto-79-736

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barchietto T, Saindrenan P, Bompeix G (1988) Characterization of phosphite uptake in two Phytophthora spp. and its inhibition by phosphate. Archives of Microbiology 151, 54–58. doi: 10.1007/BF00444669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrett SR (2001) Phytotoxic effects of phosphite in native plant communities in southern Western Australia. Ph.D. Thesis, Murdoch University.

  • Barrett S (2003) Monitoring of aerial phosphite applications for the control of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the Albany district. In ‘Phytophthora in forests and natural ecosystems. 2nd International IUFRO Working Party 7.02.09 Meeting, Albany, W. Australia’. (Eds JA McComb, GE StJ Hardy, IC Tommerup) pp. 132–137. (Murdoch University Print, Murdoch)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett SR, Shearer BL, Hardy GEStJ (2002) Root and shoot development in Corymbia calophylla and Banksia brownii after the application of the fungicide phosphite. Australian Journal of Botany 50, 155–161. doi: 10.1071/BT01018

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boesewinkel HJ (1976) Storage of fungal cultures in water. Transactions of the British Mycological Society 66, 183–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carswell C, Grant BR, Theodorou ME, Harris J, Niere JO, Plaxton WC (1996) The fungicide phosphonate disrupts the phosphate-starvation response in Brassica nigra seedlings. Plant Physiology 110, 105–110.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cochrane JA, Crawford AD, Monks LT (2007) The significance of ex situ seed conservation to reintroduction of threatened plants. Australian Journal of Botany 55, 356–361. doi: 10.1071/BT06173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Day PR (1965) Particle fraction and particle-size analysis. In ‘Methods of soil analysis. Part 1’. Agronomy Monograph 9 (Ed. CA Black) pp. 545–567. (ASA and SSSA: Madison Wisconsin)

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Hamalawi ZA, Menge JA, Adams CJ (1995) Methods of Fosetyl-Al application and phosphonate levels in avocado tissue needed to control stem canker caused by Phytophthora citricola. Plant Disease 79, 770–778.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foulds W (1993) Nutrient concentrations of foliage and soil in south-western Australia. The New Phytologist 125, 529–546. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1993.tb03901.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guest D, Grant B (1991) The complex action of phosphonates as antifungal agents. Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 66, 159–187. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-185X.1991.tb01139.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Havel JJ (1975) Site-vegetation mapping in the northern jarrah forest (Darling Range). Definition of site-vegetation types. Bulletin[nu 86. (Forests Department: Perth)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson TJ, Burgess T, Colquhoun I, Hardy GEStJ (2000) Action of the fungicide phosphite on Eucalyptus marginata inoculated with Phytophthora cinnamomi. Plant Pathology 49, 147–154. doi: 10.1046/ j.1365-3059.2000.00422.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby KN (1993) ‘Advanced data analysis with SYSTAT.’ (Van Nostrad Reinhold: New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Komorek B, Shearer BL, Smith B, Fairman RG (1997) The control of Phytophthora in native plant communities. In ‘Control of Phytophthora and Diplodina Canker in Western Australia. Final Report to the Threatened Species and Communities Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia’. (Ed. D Murray) pp. 1–59. (Department of Conservation and Land Management: Perth)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamont BB (1995) Mineral nutrient relations in Mediterranean regions of California, Chile, and Australia. In ‘Ecology and biogeography of Mediterranean ecosystems in Chile, California, and Australia.’ (Eds MT Kalin Arroyo, PH Zedler, MD Fox) pp. 211–235. (Springer-Verlag: New York)

    Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie HA, Wallace HS (1954) The Kjeldahl determination of nitrogen: a critical study of digestion conditions - temperature, catalyst and oxidising agent. Australian Journal of Chemistry 7, 55–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mead R (1988) ‘The design of experiments: statistical principles for practical application’. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge).

    Google Scholar 

  • Monks L, Coates D (2002) The translocation of two critically endangered Acacia species. Conservation Science Western Australia 4, 54–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moran MD (2003) Arguments for rejecting the sequential Bonferroni in ecological studies. Oikos 100, 403–405. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0706.2003.12010.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy J, Riley T (1962) A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural waters. Analytica Chimica Acta 27, 31–36. doi: 10.1016/S0003-2670(00)88444-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Myers N, Mittermeier RA, Mittermeier CG, da Fonseca GAB, Kent J (2000) Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403, 853–858. doi: 10.1038/35002501

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ouimette DG, Coffey MD (1990) Symplastic entry and phloem translocation of phosphonate. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 38, 18–25. doi: 10.1016/0048-3575(90)90143-P

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pilbeam RA, Colquhoun IJ, Shearer B, Hardy GEStJ (2000) Phosphite concentration: its effect on phytotoxicity symptoms and colonisation by Phytophthora cinnamomi in three understorey species in Eucalyptus marginata forest. Australasian Plant Pathology 29, 86–95. doi: 10.1071/AP00016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piper CS (1942) ‘Soil and plant analysis’ (University of Adelaide: Adelaide)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoknecht N (2002) Soil groups of Western Australia. A simple guide to the main soils of Western Australia. Resource Management Technical Report 246. (Department of Agriculture: South Perth)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shea SR, Gillen KJ, Leppard WI (1980) Seasonal variation in population levels of Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands in soil in diseased, freely drained Eucalyptus marginata Sm sites in northern jarrah forest of south-western Australia. Protection Ecology 2, 135–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Crane CE (2003) The influence of soil from a topographic gradient in the Fitzgerald River National Park on mortality of Banksia baxteri following infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi. In ‘Phytophthora in Forests and Natural Ecosystems. 2nd International IUFRO Working Party 7.02.09 Meeting, Albany, W. Australia’. (Eds JA McComb, GE StJ Hardy, IC Tommerup) pp. 268. (Murdoch University Print, Murdoch)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Fairman RG (2007a) A stem injection of phosphite protects Banksia species and Eucalyptus marginata from Phytophthora cinnamomi for at least four years. Australasian Plant Pathology 36, 78–86. doi: 10.1071/AP06085

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Fairman RG (2007b) Application of phosphite in a high-volume foliar spray delays and reduces the rate of mortality of four Banksia species infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi. Australasian Plant Pathology 36, 358–368. doi: 10.1071/AP07033

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Smith IW (2000). Diseases of eucalypts caused by soilborne species of Phytophthora and Pythium. In ‘Diseases and Pathogens of Eucalypts’. (Eds PJ Keane, GA Kile, FD Podger, BN Brown) pp. 259–291. (CSIRO Publishing: Canberra)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Tippett JT (1989) Jarrah dieback: The Dynamics and Management of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) Forest of South-western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management Research Bulletin 3.

  • Shearer BL, Crane CE, Cochrane A (2004a) Quantification of the susceptibility of the native flora of the South-West Botanical Province, Western Australia, to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Australian Journal of Botany 52, 435–443. doi: 10.1071/BT03131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Crane CE, Fairman RG (2004b) Phosphite reduces disease extension of a Phytophthora cinnamomi front in Banksia woodland, even after fire. Australasian Plant Pathology 33, 249–254. doi: 10.1071/AP04002

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Fairman RG, Grant MJ (2006) Effective concentration of phosphite in controlling Phytophthora cinnamomi following stem injection of Banksia species and Eucalyptus marginata. Forest Pathology 36, 119–135. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0329.2006.00440.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Michaelsen BJ, Somerford PJ (1988) Effects of isolate and time of inoculation on invasion of secondary phloem of Eucalyptus spp. and Banksia grandis by Phytophthora spp. Plant Disease 72, 121–126. doi: 10.1094/PD-72-0121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Michaelsen BJ, Warren HJ (1987a) Comparative behaviour of Phytophthora species in the secondary phloem of stems and excised roots of Banksia grandis and Eucalyptus marginata. Australian Journal of Botany 35, 103–110. doi: 10.1071/BT9870103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Shea SR, Deegan PM (1987b) Temperature-growth relationships of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the secondary phloem of roots of Banksia grandis and Eucalyptus marginata. Phytopathology 77, 661–665. doi: 10.1094/Phyto-77-661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Crane CE, Barrett S, Cochrane A (2007a) Phytophthora cinnamomi invasion, a major threatening process to conservation of flora diversity in the South-West Botanical Province of Western Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 55, 225–238. doi: 10.1071/BT06019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shearer BL, Crane CE, Barrett S, Cochrane A (2007b) Assessment of threatened flora susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi by analysis of disease progress curves in shadehouse and natural environments. Australasian Plant Pathology 36, 609–620. doi: 10.1071/AP07074

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smillie R, Grant BR, Guest D (1989) The mode of action of phosphite: evidence for both direct and indirect modes of action on three Phytophthora spp. in plants. Phytopathology 79, 921–926. doi: 10.1094/Phyto-79-921

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tippett JT, Crombie DS, Hill TC (1987) Effect of phloem water relations on the growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Eucalyptus marginata. Phytopathology 77, 246–250. doi: 10.1094/Phyto-77-246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tippett JT, Hill TC, Shearer BL (1985) Resistance of Eucalyptus spp. to invasion by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Australian Journal of Botany 33, 409–418. doi: 10.1071/BT9850409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tippett JT, McGrath JF, Hill TC (1989) Site and seasonal effects on susceptibility of Eucalyptus marginata to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Australian Journal of Botany 37, 481–490. doi: 10.1071/BT9890481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsao PH, Guy SO (1977) Inhibition of Mortierella and Pythium in Phytophthora-isolation medium containing hymexazol. Phytopathology 67, 796–801.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tynan KM, Wilkinson CJ, Holmes JM, Dell B, Colquhoun IJ, McComb JA, Hardy GEStJ (2001) The long-term ability of phosphite to control Phytophthora cinnamomi in two native plant communities of Western Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 49, 761–770. doi: 10.1071/BT00062

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whiley AW, Hargreaves PA, Pegg KG, Doogan VJ, Ruddle LJ, Saranah JB, Langdon PW (1995) Changing sink strengths influence translocation of phosphonate in avocado (Persea americana Mill.) trees. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 46, 1079–1090. doi: 10.1071/AR9951079

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkinson CJ, Holmes JM, Tynan KM, Colquhoun IJ, McComb JA, Hardy GEStJ, Dell B (2001) Ability of phosphite applied in a glasshouse trial to control Phytophthora cinnamomi in five plant species native to Western Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology 30, 343–351. doi: 10.1071/AP01055

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, Locked Bag 104, 6983, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia

    B. L. Shearer & C.E. Crane

Authors
  1. B. L. Shearer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C.E. Crane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. L. Shearer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shearer, B.L., Crane, C. Influence of site and rate of low-volume aerial phosphite spray on lesion development of Phytophthora cinnamomi and phosphite persistence in Lambertia inermis var. inermis and Banksia grandis . Australasian Plant Pathology 38, 288–304 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1071/AP09005

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/AP09005

Additional keywords

Search

Navigation