CONTROL OF PHYTOPHTHORA CINNAMOMI IN ERICA SESSILIFLORA AND ERICA DAVISII

摘要

A field trial was conducted to test the efficacy of two fungicides (metalaxyl and phosphorous acid) and supplementary organic matter for the control of Phytophthora cinnamomi root rot in Erica sessiliflora and E. davisii. Five treatments were applied:(1) untreated control, (2) metalaxyl, (3) phosphorous acid, (4) metalaxyl plus phosphorous acid and (5) organic soil amendment. Plants were assessed for plant health as an indication of possible P. cinnamomi infection. Phosphorous acid, applied alone orin combination with metalaxyl, resulted in a significant reduction in the number of diseased or dead E. sessiliflora plants compared with the untreated control plants (P=0.011 and P=0.004 respectively). The mean health index of phosphorous acid treatedE. davisii plants was not different (P>0.05) to control plants. Results suggest that this species of Erica has some tolerance to P. cinnamomi. Metalaxyl applications alone or organic matter treatments did not reduce disease relative to controls in eitherspecies.