Warm, wet conditions have led to isolated outbreaks of the fungal pathogen, Sclerotium rolfsii, in sorghum and grain legume crops across southern Queensland (although other regions are also at risk) and several disease outbreaks in mungbean crops growing throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales. Sclerotium rolfsii Sclerotium is a soilborne pathogen that can infect a wide range of plant… Read more »
The recent declaration of El Niño conditions for eastern Australia means an increased chance of below average rainfall. Historically, these conditions can lead to more severe outbreaks of tobacco streak virus. However, with forward planning and selection of suitable sunflower hybrids, the risk of economic impacts from TSV can be avoided. If sunflowers crops are planned for early 2024 in… Read more »
There have been several reports of Fusarium wilt affecting mungbean paddocks throughout southern Queensland within the last couple of weeks. Monitor crops closely for disease symptoms, and contact our plant pathologist, Lisa Kelly at [email protected] or 0477 747 040 for further information on disease diagnosis. Minimise the spread of the disease by avoiding movement through infected paddocks and thoroughly removing… Read more »
A severe outbreak of phytoplasma disease has been reported in mungbeans from the Burdekin region. Symptoms of little leaf, phyllody (greening of flower structures) and puffy pod became obvious in mid-late October and have now affected a high incidence of plants in a 25 ha planting. Puffy pod affected plants typically remain green for longer than healthy mature plants. This… Read more »
In Central Queensland, both phytoplasma and tobacco streak virus are still a common occurrence this year in mungbean crops. Phytoplasma Transmitted by leaf hoppers, the specialised bacteria of phytoplasma can cause severe disease and reduce yield and/ or affected pods in mungbean and other grain legumes like soybean, peanuts, pigeon pea and chickpea. Phytoplasma infection in mungbean and other grain… Read more »
After the wet weather in recent weeks there have been several reports of powdery mildew in mungbeans across Queensland and northern New South Wales, and Fusarium wilt has been found in several southern Queensland crops. Monitor crops closely for disease symptoms, and contact our plant pathologist, Lisa Kelly at [email protected] or 0477 747 040 for further information on disease diagnosis…. Read more »
Halo blight, caused by a bacterial pathogen (Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola) is one of the major diseases of beans world-wide, particularly in temperate regions. In mungbean, symptoms on leaves start as small, water-soaked lesions that are surrounded by a yellow-green halo (Figs 1 and 2). Symptoms may be visible at the 1st or 2nd trifoliate leaf stage and are often… Read more »
Key points: There was a resurgence in tobacco streak virus (TSV) disease in mungbeans in early 2020 TSV is restricted to central QLD and closely related to the distribution of parthenium weed Growers are encouraged to avoid areas of dense parthenium to reduce risk In autumn of 2020, tobacco streak virus (TSV) was found to be common in all mungbean… Read more »
Several growers and agronomists across southern Queensland have reported extensive damage to their mungbean crops due to Fusarium wilt this season. Large areas of affected paddocks have plants that are wilted or dead, resulting in significant yield losses. The results of DAF annual disease surveys over the last five years have found that the disease is most common in crops… Read more »
Leafhoppers (also known as jassids) and seedling thrips are extremely abundant in Central Queensland this summer. The vegetable leafhoppers (Austroascra viridigrisea) are very much an ‘in your eye’ pest, with swarms of the small (3mm) bright green critters flying up when disturbed in-crop. In contrast, the cotton seedling or cereal thrips (Thrips tabaci) are hiding out of sight, down in… Read more »