Completed projects and reports

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Sugar Research Australia, Sugar Research Development Corporation and BSES reports from completed research projects and papers.

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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.
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
Pest risk analysis of sugarcane for the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy
(BSES, 1997) Croft, BJ; Magarey, RC
The 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.
Inspection of Torres Strait Islands for pests and diseases of sugarcane
(BSES, 1996) Magarey, RC
This 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.
Review of the green grassy shoot disease (GGSD) situation in Nghe An Province
(BSES, 2008) Magarey, RC
Green 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.
Estimating disease-associated yield losses in breeding selection trials - Endemic diseases; Pachymetra root rot, orange rust and yellow spot
(BSES, 2007) Magarey, RC
Previous 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.
Sugar yield decline joint venture, phase 2 : SRDC Final report
(2006) Garside, AL; Bell, MJ; Pankhurst, CE; Stirling, GR; Magarey, RC; Blair, BL; Moody, PJ; Robotham, BG; Braunack, MV; Agnew, JA
Research in phase 2 has greatly increased our understanding of how farming systems operate, the key components of farming systems, and how they can be manipulated to provide better outcomes.
Taxonomy of the downy mildew pathogen Peronosclerospora sacchari : SRDC final report BSS215
(BSES, 2004) Magarey, RC
Strategic tillage to reduce soil structural degradation : SRDC final project report BSS143
(2004) Braunack, M; McGarry, D; Magarey, RC; Garside, AL
The project was undertaken to assess the benefits of zonal tillage, where only the crop row is cultivated and the compacted inter-row is left as a permanent traffic zone.Focus groups of growers were convened to discuss industry attitude and reasons for non-adoption of reduced tillage planting. It was largely agreed that compared to 10-15 years ago that the industry had moved to reduced tillage practices. The question the groups focused on was ?why was it necessary to cultivate the whole block, why not just cultivate the old row?. Opinion was expressed that land preparation was undertaken the way it was, generally because that is how it had always been done. Other reasons recorded were, difficult soil types relating to soil moisture at the time of tillage, run-off and erosion, cultivation was one factor that could be controlled, risk of crop failure (poor emergence, but this could also be due to poor planting material), soil-borne diseases and insect pests and the technique had not been thought about before. Benefits that were perceived included soil structure preservation, saving of time and energy. During the discussions it was learnt that innovative growers were practising a version of strategic tillage, unknown to neighbouring growers.Interest in the concept of strategic tillage was generated through these groups, to the extent that the strategy is being trialled by several growers.

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