South Perth, Western Australia
June 20, 2008
 Chickpea
growers in the northern agriculture region have been urged to
turn their attention to controlling the fungal disease ascochyta
blight - especially with increased plantings this year.
Department of
Agriculture and Food development officer Wayne Parker said
many chickpeas had grown out of any protection provided by
fungicidal seed coatings and it was now time for farmers to
consider fungicide applications.
“The ascochyta blight spore load will be low because there have
not been substantial chickpea plantings in the last four years
for ascochyta blight disease loads to increase,” he said.
“As a result, infection levels in crops will be low, most likely
undetectable without thorough examination of the crop.”
Mr Parker said farmers should help prevent any build up of
ascochyta blight by applying the appropriate fungicide
management for the chickpea varieties.
“The variety Genesis 510, with an R resistant rating, requires
only one application of fungicide to maintain yield potential,”
he said.
“Genesis 836, MR, moderately resistant, requires two
applications to maintain yield. Genesis 836 should receive a
preventative spray of Bravo®, one litre per hectare four weeks
after emergence, with the second during podding for best use of
the two fungicide timings.”
Mr Parker said department trial results indicated when using one
fungicide application in Genesis 510 crops, spraying at four
weeks after emergence gave greater yield than using this spray
during podding.
“The benefit of an early spray is in keeping disease load low
allowing the crop unrestricted growth,” he said.
Mr Parker said confidence in growing chickpeas in the northern
agricultural region had been restored, as a result of successful
new disease resistant varieties and ideal sowing conditions.
“Numerous small bulk-up crops were sown throughout the northern
wheatbelt following rain in March and April and many of these
crops are now out of the ground and growing vigorously on the
stored soil moisture and warm May conditions,” he said.
“If farmers can stay on top of the disease risk, it could well
be a good crop.”
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