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 Sydney, who monitor cereal rust pathotypes throughout Australia.
Examples of cereal rust symptoms (Photos: Andy Skerman, DAF)
More information on winter cereal diseases at GRDC:
- Managing rust and yellow leaf spot
- Three rust diseases of wheat
- Barley leaf rust pathogen insensitive to fungicides
- Stripe rust trials and an early warning network
Contact our cereal pathologist, Lisle Snyman at [email protected] for further information on disease diagnosis and management.
Soybean downy mildew
The downy mildew pathogen, Peronospora manshurica, has been detected in several soybean crops growing in the Burdekin region.
Though the disease can be widespread in crops, it is not likely to significantly impact grain yields.
Contact our plant pathologist, Lisa Kelly at [email protected] for further information on mungbean disease diagnosis and management.
Downy mildew on soybean leaves with light green to yellow spots on the upper leaf surface. Tufts of tan or grey fungal growth develops on the lower leaf surface on the underside of the spots. (Photo: Lisa Kelly, DAF)
Read more about fungal diseases of concern this year in mungbean and soybean crops.
Botrytis grey mould
Botrytis grey mould, caused by Botrytis cinerea, has been detected in several chickpea crops in central Queensland. Closely monitor crops for disease symptoms and contact our plant pathologist, Lisa Kelly at [email protected] for further information on disease diagnosis and management.
Further information on chickpea diseases and management:
- Fungicide guide (Pulse Australia 2022)
- Integrated disease management in chickpeas (Pulse Australia)
- Managing Botrytis in chickpeas (NSW DPI pdf 2021)
Botrytis Grey Mould on stem of infected chickpea plant. Grey ‘fuzz’ of fungal mycelium develops on infected tissues. (Photo: Mal Ryley, DAF)