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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Scoping study - remote sensing of sugarcane leaf diseases : FSRDC final report BSS295
(BSES, 2006) Magarey, RC
Estimation 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.
Resistance mechanisms and selection for resistance in sugarcane to sugarcane weevil borer : SRDC final report BSS15
(BSES, 2005) Berding, N
This project primarily sought to determine resistance mechanisms and selection mechanisms for resistance in sugarcane to SWB (Sugarcane weevil borer). As such it addressed the SRDC strategies of developing more productive cultivars by increasing clonal resistance to insect pests, and of developing resource management practices that ensure sustainable productivity through the expanded use of GCTB. From prior assessment of SWB infestation in parental clones at BSES Meringa and clones in advanced selection trials in the crop-improvement program based on on BSES Meringa, as well as reference to existing literature, reaction to SWB infestation obviously is a multifaceted trait that may encompass many individual plant traits. This research was based on a hypothesis that attempted to cover as many of these traits and their possible interaction with the insect.
Management strategies for rhyparida in southern Queensland : SRDC final report BSS236
(BSES, 2002) Fischer, TWA; Allsopp, PG
Larvae of rhyparida beetles bore into the bases of newly ratooning shoots, causing dead hearts. Very minor damage will kill 'surplus' shoots. More intense damage appears to set plant growth back and cause some yield loss. Prolonged attack will kill all shoots and kill the stool, leaving large gaps and necessitating replanting. No insecticide is registered for control of the pest and the efficacy of cultural controls is unknown.The project developed a better understanding of the phenology of Rhyparida nitida ? this species has a one-year life cycle with extended oviposition over summer, slow development of small larvae during autumn and winter, and more rapid development of larger larvae during spring. The extended oviposition means that each generation has individuals of widely varying ages.Extension of outcomes to stakeholders took place through grower discussion groups, on-farm participatory trials, and newsletters.
Chlorotic streak disease of sugarcane : SRDC final report BSS243
(BSES, 2002) Magarey, RC
Chlorotic 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.
Sugarcane-orientated quarantine training program : SRDC final report BSS274
(BSES, 2005) Sallam, MN; Magarey, RC
This 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 Australia
Summary of effectiveness of Lambda-cyhalothrin for control of sugarcane stemborers; preparedness for borer incursion
(BSES, 2002) Sallam, MN
Following a search of the literature, lambda-cyhalothrin (Karate 2.5EC) was identified as a potential candidate insecticide for emergency use in Australia following an incursion of a stemborer.Lambda-cyhalothrin is a stomach and contact pyrethroid used to control a wide range of pests. The insecticide (as Karate?) is registered against Sesamia grisescens in Papua New Guinea and Eldana saccharina in South Africa. It is also used against Busseola fusca in Ethiopia, Chilo partellus in Pakistan, and Ostrinia nubilalis in Poland.Lambda-cyhalothrin is an essential management component that fits well within an overall Integrated Pest Management program for stemborer pests. Data on its chemical structure and physiochemical properties are presented in this report.
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.
BSS249 : Preparedness for borer incursion : Summary of effectiveness of Tebufenozide for control of sugarcane stemborers
(BSES, 2001) Allsopp, PG
Following a search of the literature and discussions with entomologists in Papua New Guinea and Louisiana, tebufenozide (Mimic?, Confirm? or RH-5992) was identified as a potential highly useful candidate insecticide for emergency use in Australia following an incursion of a stemborer.Tebufenozide is an ecdysone agonist that acts by binding to the ecdysone receptor protein. The moulting process of treated insects is lethally accelerated. It is non-phytotoxic and shows little negative effect on populations of stemborer parasites and other beneficial insects. It is registered for use in USA against Diatraea saccharalis and is used successfully in Papua New Guinea against Sesamia grisescens.Data included in this report demonstrate the effectiveness of tebufenozide against these two stemborer species and its minimal effects on beneficials. Data are also included on the chemical composition of the compound, its physico-chemical properties, toxicology and environmental fate.
Characterisation and maintenance of the Australian sugarcane mapping populations
(BSES, 2003) McIntyre, L
There were two major aims to this project. The first was to identify markers linked to major diseases of sugarcane that were difficult and expensive to select for. The second objective was to determine the cross-transferability of markers by testing the association between markers and traits in other germplasm. Both of these aims have been successfully addressed. Fiji Disease virus (FDV) and Pachymetra are two major diseases of sugarcane. Both require laborious and expensive screening in the field or glasshouse and consequently, only limited numbers of clones can be screened. Thus, both of these traits are candidates for molecular markers. Successful identification of molecular markers associated with these diseases could enable indirect selection for resistance to be undertaken, in the absence of screening, or with reduced screening, for the diseases themselves. Two populations, Q117 x 74C42 and Q96 x Q178, were developed by Dr Nils Berding (BSS038) and each contained more than 200 progeny. Both populations had been previously scored for numerous sugar-related and agronomic traits and marker-trait associations (QTLs) identified for all traits in the Q117 x 74C42 population. One objective in this project was to see if QTLs identified in Q117 x 74C42 would detect the same traits in the Q96 x Q178 population. Unfortunately, in the process of mapping in this second population, it was discovered that the population was a mixture of several very small, different populations. This project objective could not be completed as planned, but was modified, as discussed below. In addition to the approximately 300 markers already scored on the Q117 x 74C42 population (CTA024), a further 1100 amplified fragment length polymorphism markers (AFLPs), simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and resistance gene analogue (RGAs) were scored. The first two types were used as they are PCR-based, reliable, easy to generate, and the type of markers currently being used in other sugarcane maps. RGAs are potential candidate genes for disease resistance. Unfortunately, during the amalgamation of the marker information, it became apparent that the replanted progeny clones had become “renumbered” in the field. It was thus not possible to combine the two data sets, and consequently, new maps were developed for the Q117 x 74C42 population using just the AFLP, RGA and SSR data. The 1100 markers were used to develop two parental maps. The Q117 map contains 407 markers in 75 linkage groups, while the 74C42 map contains 447 markers in 84 linkage groups.
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.

Pest, disease and weed management

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