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Act now to reduce sclerotinia stem rot risk in canola crops


Australia
April 11, 2014


The sclerotinia stem rot pathogen produces hard, black, survival bodies on infected plant tissue called sclerotia, which enable the fungus to survive for up to 10 years in the field. Photo: Kurt Lindbeck.

Canola growers are advised to factor the potential for sclerotinia stem rot disease into this year’s sowing programs.

Sclerotinia stem rot took a toll on last season’s canola crops in parts of the southern cropping region where the disease infected individual crops by as much as 60 per cent.

The disease, which can result in yield losses of up to 30 pc, is most prevalent in high rainfall regions of New South Wales and in the north-eastern and western districts of Victoria. It is also emerging as an increasing problem in south-east South Australia.

Plant Pathologist Kurt Lindbeck, of NSW Department of Primary Industries, says infections in high-risk regions have become more severe in recent years with intensive wheat-canola rotations, and this also suggests higher levels of residual inoculum in the soil.

Dr Lindbeck, who is based at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute where he leads Grains Research and Development Corporation-funded research on the management of pulse and oilseed diseases in southern NSW, advises growers to consider where canola is to be sown and avoid paddocks which have had moderate to high levels of sclerotinia over the past three years.

“This season’s paddocks for sowing should also be separated from last year’s canola stubbles and from paddocks where there has been a history of sclerotinia outbreaks in other crops,” Dr Lindbeck said.

“Growers should also consider incorporating into the rotation low-risk break crops such as field peas and faba beans. And if seed has been retained for sowing this coming season, it is important to ensure the seed is graded and free of sclerotia.”

Sclerotinia is a soil-borne disease that produces air-borne spores, which makes it impossible to avoid completely.

However, steps can be taken to reduce the risk of infection and disease pressure.
Dr Lindbeck has collaborated with other crop disease experts in developing a new GRDC Fact Sheet, Sclerotinia Stem Rot in Canola, which can be viewed and downloaded via www.grdc.com.au/GRDC-FS-SclerotiniaInCanola.

The Fact Sheet outlines important sclerotinia prevention and management measures including the need to follow recommended sowing dates and rates for each district. Canola crops which flower early, with a bulky crop canopy, are more prone to developing sclerotinia stem rot.

“Growers should not to be tempted to sow crops early if they are located in sclerotinia-prone districts,” Dr Lindbeck said.

This advice is particularly pertinent following good rainfalls that were received in parts of southern NSW and northern Victoria recently.

Wider row spacings can also help reduce the risk of infection by increasing air flow through the canopy to some degree until the canopy closes.

In addition to the new Fact Sheet, further information on sclerotinia stem rot is contained in the latest GRDC Back Pocket Guide on diseases in canola, available via www.grdc.com.au/GRDC-BPG-CanolaDiseases
 



More solutions from: GRDC (Grains Research & Development Corporation)


Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: April 11, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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