Calcium chelate is as effective as phosphite in controlling Phytophthora root rot in glasshouse trials

Species in the genus Phytophthora cause significant economic losses crops and damage to forests natural ecosystems worldwide. Currently, phosphite is most effective chemical for disease management, but excessive concentrations can result phytotoxicity plants development of tolerance by pathogen. Two newly developed metal chelates (alone combination) were tested their vitro planta efficacy against cinnamomi. In glasshouse trials, 0.25% 0.5% each treatment (phosphite, Ca chelate, Zn chelate) chelate + used as a foliar application on 3-month-old seedlings Banksia grandis (experiment not repeated) Eucalyptus marginata, prior inoculation with P. All noninoculated control remained healthy, while root reduction dry weights observed inoculated untreated plants. Individually, significantly reduced lesion cinnamomi compared control, attaining superior results at same concentration. combination, had largest both plant species; however, this has yet been replicated did reflect previous results. The applications effective. potential be fungicide species.