Pest, disease and weed management

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://elibrary2.sugarresearch.com.au/handle/11079/13843

Research outcomes: A comprehensive RD&E program that addresses existing and emerging pests, diseases and weeds, allowing sugarcane growers to manage their crops efficiently with minimal environmental impacts. An enhanced industry capacity to deal with incursions of exotic pests, diseases and weeds.

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A database of pest and disease incidence for the sugar industry : SRDC final report BS126S
(BSES, 1999) Stringer, JK
This project established a system to collate, store and interrogate pest and disease data that are collected annually by Queensland Cane Protection and Productivity Boards (CPPBs). An Access database titled ‘Bugbuster’ was developed and this served as the template which was modified to accommodate the needs of individual CPPBs.
A metarhizium-based product for control of cane pests : SRDC final report BSS134
(BSES, 2000) Samson, PR; Robertson, LN; Milner, RJ; Bullard, GK
The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is a naturally occurring pathogen of soil insects in Australia. Metarhizium can be used as a bioinsecticide for control of canegrubs by mass-producing spores on rice and applying the resulting product into canefields. Numbers of greyback canegrub in plant cane have been consistently reduced by more than 50% when spores of isolate FI-1045 together with the rice medium have been applied at 33 kg/ha. About 18 t of this product were applied in semi-commercial trials in 1997-1999. The product was registered as BioCane™ Granules in March 2000. FI-1045 has also given some control of southern one-year canegrub. Another isolate, FI-147, significantly reduced numbers of negatoria canegrub the year after application into sugarcane ratoons, and increased cane yield. The same isolate was equally effective against French's canegrub in laboratory bioassays, and field trials are in progress against this pest. Trials have been less successful against Childers canegrub, and more effective isolates must be identified for this species. Trial results have been very poor against soldier fly; none of the isolates tested in bioassays was very virulent, and no further work is planned.
A method for the rapid identification of ratoon stunting disease in sugar cane
(BSES, 1977) Steindl, DRL
Work with the electron microscope established a slender coryneform - type bacterium is constantly present in the sap of known ratoon stunting diseased plants and is absent from healthy plants. Purpose of project was to determine whether a reliable method of diagnosing doubtful cases of the disease could be based on the fundings of such organisms in the extracted sap, either by election or phase - contrast microscopy.
A monitoring-based system to enhance canegrub control best management practice for Isis sugarcane growers : final report GGP056
(BSES, 2013) Stanley, W; Chandler, K
The aim of GGP-056 was for growers to experience the effectiveness and practical value of monitoring canegrub risk as the basis for more cost-effective and efficient canegrub management: - taking the most appropriate option, including the most suitable insecticide treatment if and when and where needed, as opposed to current routines that are in the main effective but not as efficient as possible.
A novel polyphasic framework to resolve Yellow Canopy Syndrome paradox : final report 2014/082
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2018) Singh, B
A novel polyphasic framework to resolve Yellow Canopy Syndrome paradox.
A review of yield losses caused by Australian and selected exotic sugarcane diseases : SRDC final report BS1725
(BSES, 1996) Magarey, RC; Croft, BJ
Yield loss studies of Australian endemic diseases, and those exotic diseases posing the greatest threat to production in Australia, are reviewed. There is a need for much research particularly in relating disease intensity with yield and in investigating the effect of varietal resistance on this relationship. It is suggested that initial studies begin with yellow spot and rust, and should include sugarcane bacilliform virus and yellow leaf syndrome when techniques for handling these diseases improve. Priorities for further research should be reviewed at the conclusion of the initial yield loss research. The effect of the important exotic disease, smut, has been well researched overseas.
Acquisition of Fiji disease virus by Perkinsiella saccharicida kirk and observations on its instars
(BSES, 1984) Croft, BJ; Ryan, CC
The first, second and third instars of Perkinsiella saccharicida were the only stages which transmitted Fiji disease virus to healthy Q70 plants after a 48 hour access feed on diseased plants. A key to distinguish the developmental stages of P.saccharicida was developed with the main distinguishing features being eye colour, and the shape, length and relationship, one to the other, of the fore and hind wing pads.
Agile Wallaby management on the Barron River Delta cane farms
(BSES, 2008)
Macropus agilus This report outlines the outcomes of a project funded by the Sugar Research and Development Corporation which provided a grant to the Barron River delta Grower Group to undertake the project, “Development of an Integrated Wallaby Management Strategy”. The Agile Wallaby is a medium-sized, primarily grazing macropod, it is the most common macropodid in tropical coastal Australia.
Alternative symphyla control measures and their effect on plant cane establishment
(BSES, 1992) Smith, MA
In some areas of the Herbert Valley, the 'root-pitting' damage caused by symphyla to young cane roots is severe enough to produce noticeable reductions in growth and emergence of young plant cane. Chlorpyrifos at 2 1/ha of 50% product sprayed in the drill at planting is the currently recommended control. These trials confirmed that the recommended control was still effective. A difference in susceptibility to damage was also observed. Mocap (100 g/kg ethoprophos) at 20 kg/ha applied in the drill at planting gave a similar level of control to that of the present recommendation.
An integrated approach to nutgrass control : SRDC final report NFS002
(BSES, 2011) Aitken, RL; Munro, AJ; McGuire, PJ
This project aimed to formulate and promote an integrated approach to nutgrass control in sugarcane cropping systems. The project was a Grower Group Research Project undertaken from July 2007 to June 2010 by the NSW Farming Systems Group Inc. and BSES Limited extension officers in NSW. Trials were established to evaluate some best-bet options for nutgrass control. These trials aimed to assess packages of successive treatments all aimed at reducing the viability of nutgrass tubers. Results from these trials were used to extend options for long-term nutgrass control to cane producers. The trial work undertaken and associated economic analysis showed that it is highly economic to control nutgrass in cane. Total control of nutgrass resulted in large dollar benefits ($350-450/ha) and trials evaluating 'one-off' herbicide treatments for nutgrass also showed net benefits of $200-400/ha. This indicates that, even where nutgrass is patchy, growers could outlay $60-100/ha for nutgrass control and still obtain a substantial net benefit. A factsheet/decision support package titled Managing nutgrass in cane was produced and circulated throughout the Australian sugarcane industry. This factsheet emphasises that nutgrass can only be managed using a long-term integrated approach aimed at reducing the number of viable tubers. No single one off treatment will control nutgrass and repeated treatments are the only sure way of controlling nutgrass. A single one off treatment will reduce nutgrass competition in the short term but, because of its ability to rapidly propagate under suitable conditions, repeated treatments are imperative. The factsheet provides options for nutgrass control at various stages in the cane crop cycle.
An integrated approach to nutgrass control : SRDC final report NFS002
(BSES, 2010) Aitken, RL; Munro, AJ; McGuire, PJ
This project aimed to formulate and promote an integrated approach to nutgrass control in sugarcane cropping systems. The project was a Grower Group Research Project undertaken from July 2007 to June 2010 by the NSW Farming Systems Group Inc. and BSES Limited extension officers in NSW.
An integrated pest management approach for the control of sugarcane weevil borer, Rhabdoscelus obscurus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
(BSES, 2000) Garrad, S; Sallam, M; Oehlschlager, A
Treatments with Regent alone and in combination with pheromone trapping of sugarcane weevil borers were assessed in field trials in the Mulgrave area. Results suggest that the combination of insecticidal treatment with pheromone trapping reduce the number of stalks infested as well as number of damage internodes. Rat infestation, however, was an important factor influencing the degree of infestation and biased our results. Weevil borer control can only be efficiently achieved in an Integrated Pest Management approach is implemented taking into consideration other control options. More work is needed to investigate the usefulness of chemical treatment against weevil borers and the economic return following application.
An integrated pest management strategy for climbing rat in the far-north Queensland sugarcane production system : SRDC final report QUT003
(BSES, 2008) Fuller, S; Dyer, B
Two species of rodents (Rattus sordidus and Melomys burtoni) are currently the most significant vertebrate pests in the Queensland sugar industry. Comprehensive management plans exist for Rattus sordidus, but Melomys burtoni has a different biology, ecology and damage profile. An understanding of the biology and ecology of Melomys burtoni is central to the development of an integrated pest management strategy for this species. Eight study sites were selected within the sugarcane production area between Tully and Silkwood in far north Queensland. Rodent trapping in cane was undertaken to determine the time and extent of colonisation and reproductive success of colonists after establishment. Data collection continued for 15 months; from February 2005 to April 2006. This intensive trapping phase allowed identification of environment/habitat correlates associated with colonisation, reproductive success and subsequent damage. Diet studies and damage assessments were undertaken to provide information on important organism/environment interactions (ie. the weak link in the dynamic cycle eg. reducing weed cover). The field studies revealed that M. cervinipes are rarely caught in sugarcane and should not be regarded as a pest by the industry. However, numbers of Melomys burtoni within the crop are equal to numbers of Rattus sordidus once the crop canopy develops to near closure (≈83%). Both M. burtoni and R. sordidus are in higher numbers when sugarcane crops are grown adjacent to grasslands rather than closed forest areas. All age classes of both sexes of M. burtoni utilise sugarcane and weed/grass seed in their diet but, the protein from seed does not promote the same level of breeding that can be observed in R. sordidus. The highest proportion of Melomys burtoni reproduction occurred during the later stages of crop development and this corresponded directly with the highest proportion of juvenile recruitment. This has important implications in that due to a later colonisation period and lower breeding potential, strategies for management of Melomys burtoni are not likely to be the same as those that have led to effective management of Rattus sordidus. Moreover, damage assessments revealed that Melomys burtoni were responsible for damage to ~6% of stalks.
Assessing the impact that pathogen variation has on the sugarcane breeding program : SRDC final report BSS258
(BSES, 2005) Braithwaite, KS
In recent years, two fungal diseases of sugarcane have had a huge impact on the Australian sugar industry and the BSES CSIRO breeding and pathology programs. Sugarcane smut, caused by Ustilago scitaminea, first appeared in Australia in 1998, whilst orange rust, caused by Puccinia kuehnii, was a minor pathogen until an epidemic devastated the industry in 2000. In the case of both pathogens, the industry had to respond to the outbreaks without a full understanding of the pathogen's population structure. Successful disease-management strategies and deployment of resistance require an understanding of variation in the pathogen population. This project has clarified the genetic makeup of the two pathogens and has identified a number of quarantine issues that could place the Australian sugar industry at risk.
Assessment of aromatic compounds as strategic lures in a canegrub control program : SRDC final report BS34S
(BSES, 1991) Allsopp, PG
Anethole, n-butyric acid, citral, citronellal, eucalyptus oil, eugenol, geraniol, hexanoic acid, hexan-1-ol, 3-hexen-1-ol, 1-nonanol, pentanoic acid, phenol, sorbic acid and the standard Trece Japanese beetle floral lure (10:22:11, 2-phenylethylpropionate: eugenol: geraniol) were tested as attractants for Anoplognathus porosus, Antitrogus consanguineus, A. parvulus, Dermolepida albohirtum, Lepidiota crinita, L. negatoria, L. noxia, L. picticollis, and Metanastes vulgivagus. None were effective attractants. The apparent activity of sorbic acid would justify testing butyl sorbate as an attractant.
Assessment of the potential of sex pheromones as strategic lures for the control of canegrubs : SRDC final report BS17S
(BSES, 1991) Allsopp, PG; Stickley, BDA
Sex pheromones were shown to be emitted by females of Antitrogus consanguineus, A. parvulus and L. picticollis. Attraction of males of L. picticollis to females of A. consanguineus shows that the compound or compounds involved are similar in those two species. Detection of pheromones was probably related to the morphology of the adult antennae. One compound was present in emissions of adult female L. negatoria, but this compound could not be identified.
Assessment of various food constituents as feeding attractants for canegrubs in a pest control program : SRDC final report BS35S
(BSES, 1991) Allsopp, PG
Cellulose acetate filter disks were used to evaluate sugars, amino acids and ascorbic acid as feeding stimulants for canegrubs. Fourteen sugars, 18 amino acids and ascorbic acid were tested with third instars of Antitrogus parvulus Britton and Lepidiota negatoria Blackburn. The sugars D-fructose, D-mannose, D-sucrose, D-trehalose, D-melezitose and D-raffinose stimulated feeding by L. negatoria; sucrose and raffinose stimulants, at 1M concentration for A. parvulus and at 2M concentration for L. negatoria. The amino acids L-cysteine, L-glutamic acid and L-histidine monohydrochloride stimulated feeding by L. negatoria; only L-tyrosine stimulated feeding by A. parvulus. L-ascorbic acid did not stimulate feeding by either species.
Australian Sugar Industry Training – Development of factory training modules – Phase 2
(2022-05-04) Moller, David
The Australian Sugar Industry Training Learning Management System (ASIT LMS) provides a valuable training resource for the Australian Sugar Industry. As a single location for the milling training programs that have been developed for the last 30 years this provides a great reference resource for operators seeking to solve operating issues during the crushing season. New on-line operator training programs that have been mapped to the national competencies provide a minimum industry level of knowledge training and assessment for all the raw sugar making processes from juice to sugar storage. Included in the training programs are suitable skills competency assessment checklists that can be undertaken on site by a suitably qualified assessor. The ASIT LMS also provides a system whereby groups can develop their own internal training courses and use them for internal knowledge assessment activities. This feature is being used by several sugar milling companies to undertake knowledge competency training in areas other than sugar milling operations. The LMS has been designed to cover all training for the sugar industry. To date there has been limited adoption from the non-milling sector despite the Chief Investigator having made repeated attempts to interest the non-milling sector in using this training platform as the basis of the training for the Australian sugar industry. The on-line nature of the LMS and the ease of use, combined with its extensive learner tracking and assistance capabilities have provided the Australia Sugar Industry with a knowledge training platform to be used into the future.
Barcoding a tool to assist the industry to manage insect incursions
(ASSCT, 2015) Braithwaite, K; Chandler, K; Sallam, N
THE AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE industry has been fortunate not to have several significant insect pests that exist overseas. Moth borers are a particular concern to the Australian sugar industry due to the heavy losses they cause overseas and their potential to colonise new regions. Other high risk exotic pests include whiteflies, planthoppers and aphids. The biosecurity group in SRA is involved in many activities to prepare for possible incursions, including the development of diagnostic methods. Since the adult stage (which is required for correct taxonomic identification) may not be present in the early stage of an incursion, it is important to develop diagnostic techniques which apply to all insect stages or any available field material. The presence of frass may be the only indication that stalk damage is due to a moth borer. In such cases, identification can be greatly assisted by DNA-based techniques. For almost all animals, the universal barcode is the cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI), and this universality has led to the Barcode of Life, a project to promote DNA barcoding as a global standard for sequence-based identification. As several important exotic pests do not have publically available barcodes, SRA is assembling its own reference collection. Using the minor Australian sugarcane pest Bathytricha truncata as an experimental system, we attempted to develop methods to extract DNA and perform barcoding on frass. The method was then applied to detect three exotic borers in stalk material from PNG. Accurate detection of insect DNA from the complex stalk/frass environment is challenging, but can be achieved.
Bioassay for comparing levels of pythium graminicola in soils
(BSES, 1987) Croft, BJ
In the study of any soil borne pathogen it is essential to have some technique for determining the level of the pathogen in the soil. The levels of Pythium species in soil have been measured by soil dilution plating on selective media (Dick and Ali-Shtayeh 1986. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 86(1):49-62). However species with lobulate sporangia are not frequently isolated on these media and bioassay techniques have been developed for these fungi (Stanghellini and Kronland 1985. Phytopathology 75:1242-1245). In Hawaii, pineapple roots have been used as baits in a bioassay for P. graminicola Subr. (Adair 1972. Hawaii. Plant. Rec. 58:213-240). However, considerable space is required to maintain pineapple plants and they are not always readily available. Poor Root Syndrome (PRS) of sugarcane in Queensland causes serious crop losses (Egan et al. 1984 ASSCT p 1-9). A Pachymetra sp. (formerly referred to as the root rot fungus) which rots the primary roots of the sugarcane plant, and P. graminicola which can restrict fine root development, are two pathogens consistently found in affected soils (Croft and Magarey, 1984 ASSCT Conf. p 55-61). The study of the role of P. graminicola in the sugarcane PRS in Queensland has been hampered by the lack of a means of quantifying the level of this species in soils. This paper outlines the development of a sorghum bioassay (SB) for P. graminicola using sorghum seedling roots.