More growers are planting canola in southern Queensland this season, so it’s important to be on the lookout for turnip yellows virus (TuYV) – one of the main viral threats to canola. What is TuYV and why does it matter? TuYV is a persistent virus that affects canola and other brassica crops. It is transmitted by green peach aphids (GPA,… Read more »
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that is commonly seen each cropping season in most mungbean paddocks in Australia. In Queensland and northern New South Wales, disease outbreaks usually occur from early autumn in the summer planted crops, with epidemics typically developing as soon as temperatures drop. Initial symptoms are easy to recognise: small whitish, powdery spots on the upper… Read more »
A wet spring has led to outbreaks of halo blight in several spring-planted mungbean crops throughout southern Queensland. Tan spot has also been detected in some crops. Avoid replanting seed from crops affected with halo blight and tan spot and minimise the spread of these diseases by restricting access and ensuring good farm hygiene. Avoid movement through infected paddocks and… Read more »
Earlier this year, the Queensland Department of Primary industry (DPI) pathology team received samples of soybean with virus-like symptoms. Diseased plants displaying strong chlorotic mottle on leaves and leaf crinkling (see images below) were scattered through the crop. While the samples tested positive in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for potyvirus, the actual species remained a mystery. Subsequent sequencing… Read more »
Recent weather conditions have led to isolated outbreaks of two fungal diseases, fusarium crown rot and sclerotinia stem rot, in several grain crops across southern Queensland. Crown rot Crown rot, primarily caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum, has been detected in several barley crops across southern Queensland, but other winter cereal crops and regions are also at risk. Initial disease symptoms include… Read more »
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 »
There have been several recent reports of fungal diseases in winter and spring crops in the northern grains region. Cereal rusts Rust has been detected in cereal crops growing in central and southern Queensland this winter/spring. Monitor crops closely, keeping an eye out for pustules on stems and leaves, and submit rust samples for pathotype testing to the University of… Read more »