Abstract
Results from a glasshouse trial showed that combined treatments of calcium and phosphite were synergistic in controlling infection caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi in Banksia leptophilia. This work is part of a PhD study investigating how phosphite prevents disease symptoms and pathogen spread. Over the years several hypotheses have been put forward to account for the "fungistatic" action of phosphite, but biochemical detail is scarce. The results from this trial suggest that calcium and phosphite may affect an idiosyncratic aspect of oomycete metabolism.