Susceptibility of Selected Tasmanian Rare Plants to Phytophthora cinnamomi

Abstract

Forty-seven species native to Tasmania were tested for their susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Plants were propagated from cuttings and or seed. The plants were root inoculated by irrigating the moist growing medium with infected broth. Individuals in 36 species proved to be susceptible, four species were resistant hosts, three species resistant and four species returned inconclusive results. Epacris contained the most suceptible species and the level of susceptibility varied considerably within the Epacris, but also in Acacia and Pultenaea. Species from a number of genera contained an apparently resistant element.