Research Branch Report No. 059

The distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the forests of East Gippsland.  G.C. Marks, F.Y. Kassaby and P.C. Fagg.  January 1975.  20 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

Soil surveys of the distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi in east Victorian eucalypt forests showed that the fungus was widely distributed in flat, poorly drained coastal forests extending from Wilson’s Promontory to the New South Wales state border, and from 15-25 km away from the coast.

The fungus was scattered in the foothill forests up to an altitude of about 800 m. It was sometimes found in the high altitude forests in places where recent logging, clearing and road construction occurred.

The frequency with which the fungus was isolated was related to the intensity of forest activity, internal soil drainage and the occurrence of warm soil temperatures.

Information on a number of factors affecting soil populations of P. cinnamomi is provided and the possible origin of the fungus is discussed.

Also published:

Marks, G.C., Fagg, P.C. and Kassaby, F.Y. (1975)  The distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi in forests of Eastern Gippsland.  Aust. J. Bot. 23 (2): 263-75.