Abstract
The aim of our experiments was to develop protocols that can be used to contain and eradicate spot infestations of P. cinnamomi, nominally less than 200 m2 in extent. The experimental site in W A was an active disease front within scrub-heath, and in Tasmania experimental plots were set-up within well established but active disease centres in a heath-woodland complex. At both sites, we applied a sequence of treatments that included: (I) Vegetation destruction, (2) Physical root barriers, (3) Surface applications of fungicides, (4) Surface injection and deep application of a fumigant, and (5) Exclusion fencing. We assessed survival of P. cinnamomi by soil baiting. In both experiments, P. cinnamomi was not recovered in any of three consecutive assessments from plots after the complete treatment regime had been applied. Indirect tests on soils at the last assessment (WA only) showed no evidence of fungicide or fumigant residues that could have interfered with recoveries of P. cinnamomi. The results in both experiments are highly promising and the next step is to further evaluate the methods by treating entire discrete infestations of P. cinnamomi.