The role of the fungicide phosphite to control Phytophthora cinnamomi in native plant communities within or adjacent to mining activities

Phytophthora cinnamomi is a major pathogen of native plant communities in Western Australia, where it affects approximately 14% of the northern jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest and over 2000 of the 9000 plant species in the Banksia woodlands and heathlands of the south-west of Western Australia [1]. Mining operations and timber harvesting are major activities in areas where P. cinnamomi is prevalent and its presence increases the financial costs associated with these activities. Hence, the development of a method to contain or eradicate the fungus will be a great financial advantage to mining companies. Fungicides have rarely been used to control diseases in native plant communities due to high cost and phytotoxic responses. However, recent research has shown that neutralized phosphorous acid (phosphite) has value in conserving rare and endangered plant species in the south-west of Western Australia. This work examines the long-term efficacy of phosphite to control P. cinnamomi in a number of plant species when applied to foliar run-off over different seasons