South Perth, Western Australia
February 12, 2009
The foundations of a crucial
research project to help grain growers better manage crops to
minimise the impact of root lesion nematodes (RLN) has been
laid, with useful preliminary results.
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The culprit – the
Pratylenchus nematode is less than 1 millimetre long,
inhabits the soil and feeds on plant roots. |
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Senior nematologist Viven
Vanstone and nematology technical officer Helen Hunter
preparing RLN cultures to be used for glasshouse trials. |
RLN are microscopic pests that
feed on plant roots, severely affecting yield potential.
The glasshouse component of
the Department of
Agriculture and Food’s research project will be presented at
its 2009 Agribusiness Crop Updates on 24-25 February in Perth
and at subsequent Regional Crop Updates, supported by the Grains
Research and Development Corporation.
The most common RLN in Western Australia is Pratylenchus
neglectus, which infests at least 40 per cent of the State’s
cropping paddocks.
Last year the department evaluated the resistance of 142
different varieties of wheat, barley, oats, oilseeds and
pastures to Pratylenchus neglectus, which will be followed up
this year by field trials to compare results.
Another glasshouse trial will test cultivars’ resistance to
Pratylenchus teres, which infects about 10 per cent of WA crops,
in association with a field trial.
Department senior nematologist Dr Vivien Vanstone said the
results would help farmers tailor crop rotations to reduce the
risk of RLN.
“By avoiding consecutive crops of susceptible wheat or canola,
farmers can reduce the RLN population in paddocks and its impact
on yields,” Dr Vanstone said.
“Farmers will be able to use the information from this research
to implement appropriate rotations for specific RLN species to
maintain low nematode levels, in association with crops
monitoring and using soil and/or plant tests to diagnose RLN.”
The glasshouse research classified cultivars as:
- resistant (R);
- susceptible (S);
- moderately resistant (MR)
- will reduce nematode density but to a lesser degree than
resistant cultivars; and
- moderately susceptible
(MS) - will lead to some increase in the nematode level
during the growing season.
The preliminary results from the
glasshouse research on P. neglectus show most wheat cultivars
are S, however Wyalkatchem, Sapphire, Magenta, Annuello and
Yitpi are MR or MS.
Most canola varieties are S, although Tranby, Rocket CL and
Bravo TT are R, while Tribune, Tornado, Thunder TT and Barra are
MR.
The canola quality mustard Dune is MS but B. carinata and B.
juncea mustards range from MR to S.
The potential biodiesel crop Crambe is S and Camelina is MR.
The lotus, serradella and sulla assessed were R or MR, while
clovers, medics and biserrulla were S. Field peas and lupins are
also resistant to P. neglectus.
All oat cultivars tested were R, while all barley varieties
assessed were R, although Vlamingh was MR.
Results for barley, as well as wheat, canola and pasture
cultivars will be verified in field trials during 2009.
More information on this year's Agribusiness and Regional Crop
Updates can be found at
www.agric.wa.gov.au/cropupdates.
Regional Updates will be held on
- 27 February - Northam,
- 3 March - Merredin and
Jerramungup,
- 4 March - Liebe Group
in Buntine and Ravensthorpe,
- 5 March - Mingenew
Irwin Group in Dongara,
- March 6 - Gearldton,
- March 9 - West
Midlands Group in Badgingarra,
- 10 March - Hyden,
- 11 March - Corrigin,
- 12 March - Narrogin,
- 13 March - Katanning
and
- 17 March - Esperance.
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