last in diseased areas after harvesting healthy areas first. Another way to reduce the severity and spread of disease is through planting in raised beds. This will then reduce the contact of water with plant roots and promoting rapid drainage as moisture is a key factor in the establishment, spread, and longevity of diseases caused by this pathogen. For specific plants such as young avocado plants, soil solarization may be used, and an integrated approach is generally taken to control disease on avocado. The process includes radiant heat from the sun trapped under clear polythene sheets laid on the surface of the soil. Some chemical means of control include: fumigating and certain phosphonate fungistats. A tactic that may be effective, dependent on spores, would be fumigating before planting. However, this would not be effective for eradicating chlamydospores since they are present deeper down in the soil, so fumigation may not reach them. Some experts do not recommend fumigation as P. cinnamomi is often able to re-invade fumigated soil and could cause worse damage since the competing microorganisms in the soil microbial community may be reduced by fumigation. Phosphonate fungistats can improve the ability of a tree to tolerate, resist, or recover from disease by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Phosphite has been used to limit the disease with some success and has been recognized as a major strategy for disease prevention. Phosphite is administered to plants through direct foliage sprays, aerial application by aircraft or through direct injection. Phosphite fungicide treatment Phosphite (phosphonate) salts, such as potassium phosphite, have been used as a biodegradable fungicide to protect plants against phytophthora dieback. It is usually applied as potassium phosphite. Calcium and magnesium phosphite may also be used. No treatment will eradicate phytophthora dieback, including phosphite treatments, although an integrated approach can control the spread and impact of the disease. An integrated approach may combine strategic phosphite treatment, fumigants, controlling access, correcting drainage problems, removal of host plants and implementing excellent hygiene protocols. Phosphite is not toxic to people or animals. Its toxicity has been compared to that of table salt. Phosphite poses little environmental impact. When phosphite is sprayed on the foliage of plants, it is applied at a very low rate. Overuse may, however, harm the plant, especially when the plant is starved of phosphate. Phosphite needs to enter a plant's water transport system in order for it to be effective. This can