Pest, disease and weed management
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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 Scoping study - remote sensing of sugarcane leaf diseases : FSRDC final report BSS295(BSES, 2006) Magarey, RCEstimation of the incidence of sugarcane leaf diseases in the Australian sugar industry is largely confined to subjective estimates by Cane Productivity Services personnel. Resistance ratings for leaf diseases are applied to clones in the plantimprovement program through intense infield disease assessments of onfarm trials. Both methods have problems – either the inability to objectively measure diseases over large areas, or the very high time input required to capture the data. Remote sensing of leaf diseases offers the possibility of obtaining objective diseaseincidence data, both on a regional basis, but also for individual crops. Small plots in field trials also could be assessed for disease resistance through remote sensing techniques. Consultation with researchers in ENSIS and Mackay Sugar centred on the remotesensing technologies available in Australia. The one considered most suitable for initial studies is the Hyperion hyperspectral technology. This has been used previously to detect orange rust in sugarcane crops in the Mackay area. The involvement of Hyperion in initial studies would also allow the simulation of other types of remotesensing technology, such as SPOT IV, Landsat, and other multispectral detection capabilities. A threeyear research program was devised that would initially test the technology for remote sensing of leaf diseases. The adaptation of these techniques to a whole district would follow in the two subsequent years. The Herbert River district was selected as a model district, since all three major leaf diseases occur in this area (yellow spot, orange rust and brown rust) and there is a greater likelihood of obtaining satellite images in this area compared to the wet tropics (Tully). Following the successful development of the remotesensing technology, project work would involve milling and grower sectors of the industry. There would be a concentration on the uses and delivery of the crop and industry disease information, as presented in a GIS format. At the same time, research on highresolution imagery of small plots in field trials would lead to methods for assigning disease resistance ratings for clones in plantimprovement trials. This work will follow naturally on from the technology development associated with wholecrop disease detection. Researchers from both Mackay Sugar and ENSIS agree that sugarcane is a very suitable crop for remote sensing technology, with a high chance of successful disease detection.Item Chlorotic streak disease of sugarcane : SRDC final report BSS243(BSES, 2002) Magarey, RCChlorotic streak is a disease recognised since 1929 and is widespread through the cane growing countries of the world. Despite considerable research, particularly in the 1940-1970 period, the causal agent of the disease is still unknown. The disease is systemic and affects germination and crop yield. It is widespread through Queensland being favoured by high rainfall and/or poor drainage. The worst affected areas are the high rainfall wet tropics and poorly drained areas in other districts. This three-year project was initiated to gain a better understanding of the effects of the disease on yield; to screen commercial varieties for resistance; to research the distribution in parts of the Burdekin River Irrigation Area (BRIA); and to attempt to identify the causal agent. Yield loss trials were planted in the Tully and Herbert districts in 2000. Varieties ranging from resistant to susceptible were included to determine the relationship between resistance and yield loss. Plant crop harvests in 2001 revealed losses of up to 60% when crops planted with stalks showing diseased symptoms were compared with crops established with stalks exhibiting no symptoms. Yield effects therefore can be dramatic with the disease. Even some resistant canes suffered significant losses, suggesting farmers should obtain the cleanest planting material they can to establish new crops. One resistant variety (Q162) suffered negligible losses. Germination was slowed, and reduced overall, by chlorotic streak disease (CSD) with the main effect being on tonnes cane/ha rather than ccs (sugar content was largely unaffected by CSD). There was a significant relationship between varietal resistance and yield (r-squared 0.56) in the Herbert trial suggesting there is a correlation between resistance and yield. Surveys of the Invicta, Pioneer, Kalamia and Inkerman mill areas revealed the presence of a greater level of CSD than known previously. The greatest level of disease was found in Q127 though other varieties were also diseased. There was a link between irrigation water source and the area affected by the disease. Where channel water was used, higher disease levels resulted compared to fields irrigated with bore water. This is not surprising because drainage water from infested fields is known to carry the causal agent and channel water contains some drainage water. Transmission studies using hydroponics were commenced to provide suitable root material for molecular assay research into the causal agent. However, no disease transmission occurred and it is postulated that a soil-borne vector may be needed to aid transmission. PhD studies at the University of Adelaide have focused on light and electron microscopy, and molecular methods of pathogen detection. This project finishes in 2003 but so far no agents have been associated with diseased material.Item Sugarcane-orientated quarantine training program : SRDC final report BSS274(BSES, 2005) Sallam, MN; Magarey, RCThis project continues the industry's commitment to sugarcane biosecurity, and is a further forward step extending the substantial knowledge developed in previous projects. The project was developed after the completion of BSS249, where the need for a quarantine-based training program involving different quarantine groups was recognised. The aim of this project was to use the knowledge developed in previous projects to improve the industries biosecurity capacity, and to minimize the possibility of an introduction of an exotic cane pest or disease into AustraliaItem Pest risk analysis of sugarcane for the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy(BSES, 1997) Croft, BJ; Magarey, RCThe purpose of this pest risk analysis (PRA) is firstly to identify quarantine pests and pathogens which pose a threat to sugarcane, which may enter Australia through its northern borders into the area covered by the AQIS Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS); and secondly to, identify measures which could be taken by various agencies to reduce the risks of entry or to minimise the impact of such pests should they arrive. The PRA was conducted as outlined in the FAO Standard "Guidelines for Pest Risk Analysis", and is one of a series of PRAs commissioned by NAQS.Item Inspection of Torres Strait Islands for pests and diseases of sugarcane(BSES, 1996) Magarey, RCThis visit between 1-4 July 1996 proved most useful in assessing the pest and disease status of the Torres Strait islands. Significantly there were first records of schlorotic streak, Ramu streak, Sesamia borer, and hybrid Saccharum material in the region. It is imperative that effective sugarcane quarantine occurs in the region to limit the spread of these pests and diseases and the Saccharum material. Ramu streak and Sesamia borer could significantly affect crop production in Australia. On the other hand, the disease status of the hybird material is uncertain. The presence of continental Australian diseases in hybird material poses a significant threat to PNG. In future visits, the disease status of this material should be further investigated.Item Review of the green grassy shoot disease (GGSD) situation in Nghe An Province(BSES, 2008) Magarey, RCGreen grassy shoot disease (GGSD) has been rapidly escalating. Without further research and extension assistance, GGSD has great potential to cripple production in Vietnam. The visit has provided a great deal of new information on GGSD and about the agencies addressing the issue within Vietnam.Item Estimating disease-associated yield losses in breeding selection trials - Endemic diseases; Pachymetra root rot, orange rust and yellow spot(BSES, 2007) Magarey, RCPrevious work has shown that plant improvement stage 3 selection trials can be used to assess the relationship between yield and disease resistance with particular Queensland endemic diseases - principally Pachymetra root rot, yellow spot and orange rust. Results provide a means for fine-tuning the plant improvement program - ensuring that commercial varieties have just the right level of resistance to maximise high yielding ability while minimising disease-associated yield losses.In this study, data from 2003-series stage 3 (FATs) trials in northern and central districts were studied to determine the relationship between resistance and yield for Pachymetra root rot and orange rust. As yellow spot only occurs in the high rainfall areas of northern Queensland, analyses for this disease were restricted to this region only. Brown rust was to be included in the study but the difficulty is assessing disease resistance in FATs, and the lack of disease, made obtaining data to brown rust impossible. Additional data were available for Pachymetra root rot for northern series trials (1995-2004) providing more detailed information for this disease.Item Taxonomy of the downy mildew pathogen Peronosclerospora sacchari : SRDC final report BSS215(BSES, 2004) Magarey, RCItem Enhancing resistance to yellow spot disease": SRDC final project report BSS245(BSES, 2003) Magarey, RCYellow spot is a leaf disease caused by the fungus Mycovellosiella koepkei. Although known in Queensland since 1950, some facets of the disease have never been adequately researched. Yellow spot principally, but not exclusively, affects cane in the wet tropical coastal areas of Queensland. The disease is favoured by warm wet conditions, usually being observed during and shortly after the wet season (March-May). Up to 50,000 ha may be affected in Queensland in years of above average rainfall. Little yield-loss research had previously been conducted and there was a need to review the current breeding strategy to ensure adequate resistance in commercial varieties.Research associated with this project aimed to:1. determine yield losses resulting from the disease;2. assess the current levels of resistance in the Australian germplasm;3. make recommendations regarding the current breeding strategy.Research outputs impinged on each of these areas. Resistance was assessed on the basis of leaf areas diseased at the peak of the disease epidemic (April-May). Assessment of parent canes and commercial cultivars suggested there is less resistance to yellow spot than to the other important diseases in northern Queensland, including Pachymetra root rot and orange rust. This is a cause for concern and warrants consideration by breeders and pathologists. There were only minor differences in the proportion of resistant, intermediate and susceptible parents sourced from each district (Northern, Herbert, Burdekin, Central and Southern).Yield-loss research with fungicides showed that yellow spot may reduce the CCS of susceptible clones by up to 2 units early in the harvest season. In resistant clones, as expected, losses were negligible. Selection trials in the breeding program (FATs) were also utilised to assess yield losses and the influence of clonal resistance on losses. This approach again showed that yellow spot may reduce yields significantly, especially in the wetter years. In the 2001 season, yellow spot was of greater significance than either orange rust or Pachymetra root rot. Losses of up to 20% in cane and sugar yields were observed.An analysis of the conditions required for spore germination showed that high relative humidity (>99%) and relatively high temperatures (20-30?C) were needed for spores of M. koepkei to germinate. This correlates with disease incidence, since it is most severe on the wet tropical coast. An analysis of Bureau of Meteorology data for Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Brisbane indicated that Cairns was the most favourable site out of these three; again consistent with disease observations. Further studies on environmental conditions favouring the disease, and the analysis of longer-term weather data may facilitate an assessment of the probability of severe disease outbreaks in cane-growing areas. By linking this with yield loss research, it may be possible to accurately identify the level of resistance needed in commercial canes to minimise commercial losses.Item Survey of sugarcane in eastern Australia for sugarcane smut : SRDC final report BSS230(BSES, 2000) Croft, BJ; Magarey, RC; Smith, DJSugarcane smut is a serious disease of sugarcane that can cause yield losses in excess of 30% in susceptible varieties. The disease was found for the first time in Australia on the 21 July 1998 in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) of Western Australia.An initial rapid survey in eastern Australian sugarcane crops failed to locate smut. Travel by canegrowers to the ORIA and movement of machinery from the ORIA to eastern states prior to the discovery of smut had created opportunities for the disease to enter Queensland and New South Wales. There was also the possibility that the atmospheric conditions that facilitated the incursion into the ORIA, may have carried the disease to the eastern states. The status of sugarcane smut in the eastern states was uncertain at the commencement of the current survey.This report describes the results of a two-year sugarcane smut survey carried out by Cane Protection and Productivity Board (CPPB) and Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations (BSES) staff in Queensland and New South Wales between the 10 November 1998 and the 17 March 2000.