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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Item Plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes associated with sugarcane in North Queensland(ASSCT, 2018) Bull, J; Stirling, GR; Magarey, RSURVEYS OF NORTH Queensland sugarcane soils indicated that root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus zeae) was the most important nematode pest because it occurred in most fields and was often present at high population densities. However, the presence of root knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) in sandy soils and the relatively widespread distribution of moderately pathogenic nematodes such as stunt nematode (Tylenchorhynchus annulatus), stubby root nematode (Paratrichodorus minor), ring nematode (various Criconematidae) and dagger nematode (Xiphinema elongatum) suggested that in most fields, several nematode species were feeding on roots and contributing to root health problems. With regard to the free-living nematode community, survey results showed that bacterial-feeding nematodes were much more common than fungal-feeding nematodes and numbers of omnivorous and predatory nematodes were relatively low. Collectively, these findings suggest that the biological status of many north Queensland sugarcane soils is relatively poor. In addition to having high numbers of plant-parasitic nematodes they have low numbers of fungal-feeding nematodes. This indicates that fungi are not an important component of the detritus food web and this has implications for the ecosystem services they provide: decomposition of recalcitrant forms of organic matter; aggregation of soil particles; enhancement of plant nutrient uptake; improvement of disease resistance in plants; and suppression of pests and pathogens. The lack of omnivorous and predatory nematodes also has implications for pest suppression, as these nematodes help regulate populations of plant-parasitic nematodes.Item Preparing the Australian sugar industry for exotic disease threats: final report 2009/033(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2015) Magarey, R; Samson, P; Braithwaite, K; Thompson, N; Sallam, NPrevious field resistance trial data for downy mildew, Ramu stunt and Sesamia grisescens collected in PNG since the mid-1980s were accessed, analysed and information used as a foundation for project field resistance screening research. 2. Pot methods for moth borer resistance screening were reviewed, a visit to South Africa was made to view pot trial methodology and rapid test resistance screening research plans developed. 3. Field resistance screening trials for the moth borers (Sesamia grisescens and Scirpophaga excerptalis) and the diseases (downy mildew, (Peronosclerospora spp.) and Ramu stunt (tenuivirus)) showed promise in project research. Data collected has been analysed and resistance ratings for Australian commercial varieties assigned and loaded into SPIDNet. 4. A rapid resistance screen for the moth borers (manual infestation of test plants) and downy mildew (using oospores mixed into potting soil) show promise, but each method requires further refinement. 5. The causal agent of Ramu stunt was confirmed as a tenuivirus and a diagnostic assay validated. Suspect disease specimens can now be confidently assayed, should an Australian incursion occur. Some pathogen variation was noted around PNG; it is unknown if this will affect varietal resistance reactions. 6. Molecular tools for assaying for downy mildew were also developed; suspect disease specimens for DM can also now be confidently assayed. Significant DM pathogen variation in PNG was noted, with three taxa identified. One of these may be a new Peronosclerospora species. 7. The project has led to major steps forward in relation to knowledge of these pests and diseases. Our capacity to identify, manage and advise the Australian sugarcane industry with regard to PNG pests and diseases has improved greatly. The industry is now in a strong position to deal with the major pest and disease threats present in PNG.Item Integrated pest management of stem borers and insect vectors of viral diseases of sugarcane : final report 2006/147(BSES, 2009) Magarey, R; Sallam, N; Samson, PThis report provides detail on an ACIAR-funded project (HORT/2006/147) meeting between Australian and Indonesian staff to review project activities, and to plan further research, development and extension for the next 12 months. Rob Magarey also visited Jakarta to speak with ACIAR staff to keep them informed of project developments and outputs.