The long-term ability of phosphite to control Phytophthora cinnamomi in two native plant communities of Western Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 761 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Tynan ◽  
C. J. Wilkinson ◽  
J. M. Holmes ◽  
B. Dell ◽  
I. J. Colquhoun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
The Impact

This study examined the ability of foliar applications of the fungicide phosphite to contain colonisation of Phytophthora cinnamomi in a range of plant species growing in natural plant communities in the northern sandplain and jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest of south-western Australia. Wound inoculation of plant stems with P. cinnamomi was used to determine the efficacy of phosphite over time after application. Colonisation by P. cinnamomi was reduced for 5–24 months after phosphite was applied, depending on the concentration of phosphite used, plant species treated and the time of phosphite application. Plant species within and between plant communities varied considerably in their ability to take up and retain phosphite in inoculated stems and in the in planta concentrations of phosphite required to contain P. cinnamomi. As spray application rates of phosphite increased from 5 to 20 g L–1, stem tissue concentrations increased, as did the ability of a plant species to contain P. cinnamomi. However, at application rates of phosphite above 5 g L–1 phytotoxicity symptoms were obvious in most species, with some plants being killed. So, despite 10 and 20 g L–1 of phosphite being more effective and persistent in controlling P. cinnamomi, these rates are not recommended for application to the plant species studied. The results of this study indicate that foliar application of phosphite has considerable potential in reducing the impact of P. cinnamomi in native plant communities in the short-term. However, in order to maintain adequate control, phosphite should be sprayed every 6–12 months, depending on the species and/or plant community.

Phytophthora cinnamomi invasion, a major threatening process to conservation of flora diversity in the South-west Botanical Province of Western Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Shearer ◽  
C. E. Crane ◽  
S. Barrett ◽  
A. Cochrane
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Susceptible Plant ◽  
The South ◽  
South West ◽  
Indirect Impacts

The invasive soilborne plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands is a major threatening process in the South-west Botanical Province of Western Australia, an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot. Comparatively recent introduction of P. cinnamomi into native plant communities of the South-west Botanical Province of Western Australia since the early 1900s has caused great irreversible damage and altered successional change to a wide range of unique, diverse and mainly susceptible plant communities. The cost of P. cinnamomi infestation to community values is illustrated by examination of direct (mortality curves, changes in vegetation cover) and indirect impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics, the proportion of Threatened Ecological Communities infested, Declared Rare Flora either directly or indirectly threatened by infestation and estimates of the proportion of the native flora of the South-west Botanical Province susceptible to the pathogen. While direct impacts of P. cinnamomi have been poorly documented in the South-west Botanical Province, even less attention has been given to indirect impact where destruction of the habitat by the pathogen affects taxa not directly affected by infection. Current poor understanding and quantification of indirect impacts of P. cinnamomi through habitat destruction results in an underestimation of the true impact of the pathogen on the flora of the South-west Botanical Province. Considerable variation of susceptibility to P. cinnamomi among and within families of threatened flora and responses of taxa within the genus Lambertia show how classification within family and genus are poor predictors of species susceptibility. Within apparently susceptible plant species, individuals are resistant to P. cinnamomi infection. Intra-specific variation in susceptibility can be utilised in the long-term management of threatened flora populations and needs to be a high research priority. Current control strategies for conservation of flora threatened by P. cinnamomi integrate hygiene and ex situ conservation with disease control using fungicide. Application of the fungicide phosphite has proven effective in slowing progress of P. cinnamomi in infested, threatened communities. However, variation in plant species responses to phosphite application is a major factor influencing effective control of P. cinnamomi in native communities. A greater understanding of the mechanisms of action of phosphite in plant species showing different responses to the fungicide may provide options for prescription modification to increase phosphite effectiveness in a range of plant species. The range of responses to P. cinnamomi infection and phosphite application described for Lambertia taxa suggests that the genus would make an ideal model system to elucidate the mechanisms of resistance to P. cinnamomi and the effectiveness of phosphite against the pathogen.

scholarly journals Phosphite and mycorrhizal formation in seedlings of three Australian Myrtaceae

2000 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay Howard ◽  
Bernie Dell ◽  
Giles E. Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Collar Rot ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

Currently in Western Australia, phosphite is being used to contain the root and collar rot pathogen, Phytophthora cinnamomi, in native plant communities. There have been reports of negative effects of phosphite on arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), so there are concerns that it may have a deleterious effect on other mycorrhizal fungi. Two glasshouse experiments were undertaken to determine the impact of phosphite on eucalypt-associated ectomycorrhizal fungi. In the first experiment, non-mycorrhizal seedlings of Eucalyptus marginata, Eucalyptus globulus and Agonis flexuosa were sprayed to runoff with several concentrations of phosphite, and then planted into soil naturally infested with early colonising mycorrhizal species. Assessments were made of percentage of roots infected with mycorrhizal fungi. There was no significant effect on ectomycorrhizal formation but there was a four-fold increase in AM colonisation of A. flexuosa roots with phosphite application. In the second experiment, E. globulus seedlings mycorrhizal with Pisolithus, Scleroderma and Descolea were treated with different levels of phosphite and infection of new roots by ectomycorrhizal fungi was assessed. There was no significant effect on ectomycorrhizal formation when phosphite was applied at the recommended rate (5 g L–1), while at 10 g L–1 phosphite significantly decreased infection by Descolea.

scholarly journals Time since fire and average fire interval are the best predictors of Phytophthora cinnamomi activity in heathlands of south-western Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Moore ◽  
Sarah Barrett ◽  
Kay Howard ◽  
Michael D. Craig ◽  
Barbara Bowen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Native Plant Species

Fires are features of ecological communities in much of Australia; however, very little is still known about the potential impact of fire on plant diseases in the natural environment. Phytophthora cinnamomi is an introduced soil-borne plant pathogen with a wide host range, affecting a large proportion of native plant species in Australia and other regions of the world, but its interaction with fire is poorly understood. An investigation of the effects of fire on P. cinnamomi activity was undertaken in the Stirling Range National Park of south-western Australia, where fire is used as a management tool to reduce the negative impact of wildfires and more than 60% of the park is infested with, and 48% of woody plant species are known to be susceptible to, P. cinnamomi. At eight sites confirmed to be infested with P. cinnamomi, the proportion of dead and dying susceptible species was used as a proxy for P. cinnamomi activity. Subset modelling was used to determine the interactive effects of latest fire interval, average fire interval, soil water-holding capacity and pH on P. cinnamomi activity. It was found that the latest and average fire interval were the variables that best explained the variation in the percentage of dead and dying susceptible species among sites, indicating that fire in P. cinnamomi-infested communities has the potential to increase both the severity and extent of disease in native plant communities.

Habitat utilisation by small mammals in a coastal heathland exhibiting symptoms of Phytophthora cinnamomi infestation

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Scott Laidlaw ◽  
Barbara A. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Tea Tree ◽  
The Impact

Phytophthora cinnamomi is a soil-inhabiting ‘water mould’ that is pathogenic to many native plant species in Australia, and has been shown to alter plant species abundance and richness, as well as the structure of vegetation in sclerophyllous vegetation. This study investigated the effects of P. cinnamomi-induced vegetation disturbance and habitat degradation on microhabitat associations of small mammals in a coastal heathland in southern Australia. Seven small mammal species were trapped in a P. cinnamomi-infested heathland community over four years. Trap stations were classified into three disease classes (non-diseased, active disease and post-disease) and structural and floristic aspects of the vegetation were recorded at each station. The mean number of species captured was greatest in non-diseased areas and least in post-disease areas. The total capture frequency of small mammals was lower in post-disease areas except where they were covered by thick stands of tall tea-tree (Leptospermum sp.). Combined small mammal captures were associated with thick vegetation and floristic factors. Captures of Antechinus agilis, Rattus fuscipes, Rattus lutreolus and Sminthopsis leucopus were greatest in non-diseased vegetation and were less frequent in areas of diseased vegetation. A. agilis and R. fuscipes captures were correlated with a floristic factor associated with non-diseased vegetation, while R. lutreolus was associated with structural factors, preferring thick vegetation. The impact on Cercartetus nanus and Isoodon obesulus could not be assessed owing to low captures of these species. Modification of vegetation structure and floristics associated with P. cinnamomi infestation is having a significant impact on the habitat utilised by the small mammal communities in the area. This impact highlights the need to identify and protect those areas that remain free of P. cinnamomi infestation. Continued spread of the pathogen will reduce the area of suitable small-mammal habitat able to support the diverse communities of the eastern Otway Ranges, Victoria, Australia.

scholarly journals The Origin and Distribution of Phytophthora Cinnamomi Rands in Australian Native Plant Communities and the Significance of Its Association With Particular Plant Species

1973 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 559 ◽  
Author(s):  
BH Pratt ◽  
WA Heather
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Disease Association ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Australian Native Plant

The origin, distribution, and disease association of P. cinnamomi in native plant communities in Australia has been examined.

scholarly journals Re-evaluation of Phytophthora Species Isolated During 30 Years of Vegetation Health Surveys in Western Australia Using Molecular Techniques

Plant Disease ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Treena I. Burgess ◽  
Janet L. Webster ◽  
Juanita A. Ciampini ◽  
Diane White ◽  
Giles E. StJ. Hardy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Taxa ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Phytophthora Species ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Similar Morphology

For 30 years, large-scale aerial photography has been used to map the extent of Phytophthora dieback disease in native forests in the southwest of Western Australia, with validation of the observations involving routine testing of soil and root samples for the presence of Phytophthora cinnamomi. In addition to P. cinnamomi, six morpho-species have been identified using this technique: P. citricola, P. megasperma, P. cryptogea, P. drechsleri, P. nicotianae, and P. boehmeriae. In recent years, many new Phytophthora species have been described worldwide, often with similar morphology to existing species; thus, as many of the isolates collected in Western Australia have been difficult to identify based on morphology, molecular identification of the morpho-species is required. Based on amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA gene, sequence data of more than 230 isolates were compared with those of existing species and undescribed taxa. P. inundata, P. asparagi, P. taxon PgChlamydo, P. taxon personii, and P. taxon niederhauserii were identified based on sequence data. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that nine potentially new and undescribed taxa can be distinguished. Several of the new taxa are morphologically indistinguishable from species such as P. citricola, P. drechsleri, and P. megasperma. In some cases, the new taxa are closely related to species with similar morphology (e.g., P.sp.4 and P. citricola). However, the DNA sequences of other new taxa such as P.sp.3 and P.sp.9 show that they are not closely related to morphologically similar species P. drechsleri and P. megasperma, respectively. Most of the new taxa have been associated with dying Banksia spp., while P.sp.2 and P.sp.4 have also been isolated from dying Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah). Some taxa (P.sp.3, 6, and 7) appear to have limited distribution, while others like P.sp.4 are widespread.

Competition between native and non-native plants.

2020 ◽  
pp. 291-307
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Wandrag ◽  
◽  
Jane A. Catford ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Invasion Biology ◽  
Competitive Interactions ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Native Plant Species ◽  
New Locations ◽  
Strength Of Competition

The introduction of species to new locations leads to novel competitive interactions between resident native and newly-arriving non-native species. The nature of these competitive interactions can influence the suitability of the environment for the survival, reproduction and spread of non-native plant species, and the impact those species have on native plant communities. Indeed, the large literature on competition among plants reflects its importance in shaping the composition of plant communities, including the invasion success of non-native species. While competition and invasion theory have historically developed in parallel, the increasing recognition of the synergism between the two themes has led to new insights into how non-native plant species invade native plant communities, and the impacts they have on those plant communities. This chapter provides an entry point into the aspects of competition theory that can help explain the success, dominance and impacts of invasive species. It focuses on resource competition, which arises wherever the resources necessary for establishment, survival, reproduction and spread are in limited supply. It highlights key hypotheses developed in invasion biology that relate to ideas of competition, outlines biotic and abiotic factors that influence the strength of competition and species' relative competitive abilities, and describes when and how competition between non-native and native plant species can influence invasion outcomes. Understanding the processes that influence the strength of competition between non-native and native plant species is a necessary step towards understanding the causes and consequences of biological invasions.

Comparative Studies in Selected Species of Eucalyptus Used in Rehabilitation of the Northern Jarrah Forest, Western Australia. I. Patterns of Xylem Pressure Potential and Diffusive Resistance of Leaves

1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
IJ Colquhoun ◽  
RW Ridge ◽  
DT Bell ◽  
WA Loneragan ◽  
J Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Water Loss ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Pressure Potential ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Xylem Pressure ◽  
Diffusive Resistance ◽  
Xylem Pressure Potential ◽  
The Impact

Land use which reduces tree canopy density and the impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi are believed to be altering the hydrological balance of parts of the northern jarrah forest, Western Australia. In the drier eastern zones of the forest, replacement plant communities must maintain the soil-salt-water balance to prevent significant increases in salinization of streams in water supply catchments. Daily and seasonal patterns of the diffusive resistance of leaves and xylem pressure potential were determined for the major natural dominant of the region, Eucalyptus marginata, and five other species of Eucalyptus used in rehabilitation. Three types of daily and seasonal patterns were observed. E. marginata and E. calophylla exhibited little stomatal control of water loss, and leaf resistances remained low throughout the study period (type 1). E. maculata, E. resinifera and E. saligna exhibited marked stomatal regulation during summer days when xylem pressure potentials fell below -2.O MPa (type 2). E. wandoo (type 3) also controlled water loss but developed xylem pressure potentials far lower than all other species tested (<-3.0 MPa). Although none of the species tested replicated the summer stomatal resistance and xylem pressure potential patterns of E. marginata, it is suggested that total annual water use should be examined before selecting the most appropriate species to rehabilitate disturbed sites in the eastern zones of the northern jarrah forest region.

scholarly journals Tallgrass Prairie Responses to Management Practices and Disturbances: A Review

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Wagle ◽  
Prasanna Gowda
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Tallgrass Prairie ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
The United States ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
The Impact

Adoption of better management practices is crucial to lessen the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on tallgrass prairie systems that contribute heavily for livestock production in several states of the United States. This article reviews the impacts of different common management practices and disturbances (e.g., fertilization, grazing, burning) and tallgrass prairie restoration on plant growth and development, plant species composition, water and nutrient cycles, and microbial activities in tallgrass prairie. Although nitrogen (N) fertilization increases aboveground productivity of prairie systems, several factors greatly influence the range of stimulation across sites. For example, response to N fertilization was more evident on frequently or annually burnt sites (N limiting) than infrequently burnt and unburnt sites (light limiting). Frequent burning increased density of C4 grasses and decreased plant species richness and diversity, while plant diversity was maximized under infrequent burning and grazing. Grazing increased diversity and richness of native plant species by reducing aboveground biomass of dominant grasses and increasing light availability for other species. Restored prairies showed lower levels of species richness and soil quality compared to native remnants. Infrequent burning, regular grazing, and additional inputs can promote species richness and soil quality in restored prairies. However, this literature review indicated that all prairie systems might not show similar responses to treatments as the response might be influenced by another treatment, timing of treatments, and duration of treatments (i.e., short-term vs. long-term). Thus, it is necessary to examine the long-term responses of tallgrass prairie systems to main and interacting effects of combination of management practices under diverse plant community and climatic conditions for a holistic assessment.

Susceptibility of Plant Species in Banksia Woodlands on the Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia, to Infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi

1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 433 ◽  
Author(s):  
BL Shearer ◽  
M Dillon
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Swan Coastal Plain ◽  
Adjacent Soil ◽  
Cross Tabulation

Estimates of the susceptibility of plant species in Banksia woodland to Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands were obtained by determining the incidence of plant death and frequency of isolation of the pathogen, among species occurring in 46 disease centres on the Swan Coastal Plain south of Perth, Western Australia. In the disease centres, dicotyledons outnumbered monocotyledons. About half of all species occurring in the disease centres were from four families of dicotyledons, with the largest number of species from the Myrtaceae, Proteaceae and Papilionaceae. The greatest number of species of monocotyledons were from the Anthericaceae and Cyperaceae. No deaths were recorded for 47% of species found in three or more disease centres. These species were mainly from the Cyperaceae, Haemodoraceae, Myrtaceae and Papilionaceae. The species that tended to die frequently in disease centres were mainly from the Papilionaceae, Proteaceae, Epacridaceae, Xanthorrhoeaceae and the Zamiaceae. Phytophthora cinnamomi was isolated from 26 of the 95 species occurring in three or more disease centres. For most species, the frequency of isolation of P. cinnamomi from recently dead plants was much less than the frequency of dead plants sampled. Isolation from plants was less frequent than from adjacent soil. The pathogen was isolated from recently dead plants or soil mainly for species of the Proteaceae, Myrtaceae, Papilionaceae, Dasypogonaceae, Iridaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae. Cross-tabulation of species by incidence of plant death and isolation of P. cinnamomi from plant and soil, provided the opportunity to classify the response of plant species to infection by P. cinnamomi.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document