South Perth, Western Australia
August 29, 2005
Western
Australian horticulturists have been urged to upgrade biosecurity measures
after the discovery of Lettuce leaf blight
(Pythium tracheiphilum)
on two properties.
Lettuce leaf blight
is widely distributed
on field and glasshouse lettuce crops in Europe and America but
this is the first time it has been found in Australia.
Its impact on lettuce production in other parts of the world is
reported to range from 0.7 per cent to 50 per cent, with
symptoms and crop losses greatly influenced by the environmental
conditions. Disease symptoms on the affected properties in
Western Australia have only been noted on Cos lettuce.
Department of Agriculture
Quarantine
Plant Pathologist Dr Satendra Kumar
said the two
properties affected by the problem would not be identified and
praised the owner of the first property for quickly reporting
his suspicions.
“Because of his sensible approach and the cooperation of others
in the industry we are confident the outbreak can be contained,”
said Dr Kumar.
The outbreak has underlined the vital importance for farmers of
maintaining high standards of farm biosecurity.
“It is the responsibility of the owner of each
property to ensure biosecurity standards are undertaken on the
property to reduce individual property risk,” said Dr Kumar.
“A series of detailed measures have been agreed
with the affected properties and these will be strictly adhered
to. There is a message here for the whole industry to make sure
biosecurity is a priority, especially with a view to cleaning
vehicles before and after they visit a property.”
More information on biosecurity measures is
available from local
Department of Agriculture offices and from the Department’s
website www.agric.wa.gov.au.
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