2018 Season Report

Contents

CROPSAFE: 2018 REVIEW ........................................................................................................................ 3

PASSIVE CROP SURVEILLANCE ................................................................................................................. 4

2018 CROPSAFE FINDINGS ...................................................................................................................... 5

Training in 2018 ........................................................................................................................................................ 5

Field days in 2018 ...................................................................................................................................................... 5

2018 CROPSAFE FINDINGS BY REGION .................................................................................................... 6

Wimmera .................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Mallee ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Southern ................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Northern ................................................................................................................................................................... 9

FURTHER INFORMATION....................................................................................................................... 10

Diagnostics .............................................................................................................................................................. 10

Sampling reminder .................................................................................................................................................. 10

Disease updates ...................................................................................................................................................... 10

Figures FIGURE 1. PERCENTAGE OF SAMPLES SUBMITTED TO CROPSAFE BY REGION IN 2018 (N=72) .......................................................... 3

FIGURE 2: PERCENTAGE OF CROP TYPES SUBMITTED TO CROPSAFE DURING 2018. OTHER CROP TYPES WERE: LUPINS 7%, FIELD

PEAS 4%, LUCERNE 3%, VETCH 1%, SUB-CLOVER 1% AND LINSEED 1% ..................................................................................... 5

FIGURE 3: THE NUMBER OF CROPSAFE SAMPLES RECEIVED EACH MONTH DURING 2018 COMPARED TO THE 10 YEAR AVERAGE. ......... 5

FIGURE 4: CROP TYPE BREAKDOWN OF SAMPLES SUBMITTED TO CROPSAFE FROM THE WIMMERA REGION IN 2018. OTHER CROP

TYPES WERE: LUPINS 9%, FABA BEANS, 6%, FIELD PEAS 3% AND LUCERNE 3%. ........................................................................... 6

FIGURE 5: CROP TYPE BREAKDOWN OF SAMPLES SUBMITTED TO CROPSAFE FROM THE MALLEE REGION IN 2018. ............................. 7

FIGURE 6: CROP TYPE BREAKDOWN OF SAMPLES SUBMITTED TO CROPSAFE FROM THE SOUTHERN REGION IN 2018. OTHER CROP

TYPES: BARLEY 6%, CHICKPEAS 6%, FABA BEANS 6%, LINSEED 6% AND LUPINS 6%. ................................................................... 8

FIGURE 7: CROP TYPE BREAKDOWN OF SAMPLES SUBMITTED TO CROPSAFE FROM THE NORTHERN REGION IN 2018. ........................ 9

CROPSAFE: 2018 REVIEW

Exotic plant pests and diseases pose a significant

threat to Victoria's cropping and horticulture sectors.

Increased movement of plant materials, farm products

and international travel, have increased Victoria’s risk

of significant exotic plant pest and disease incursions.

Preventing pests and diseases from becoming

established, and quickly identifying and eradicating

localised outbreaks, is critical to protecting these

industries.

CropSafe, an active, self-help 'eyes in the field'

surveillance system, aimed at increasing the

identification and reporting of plant pests and diseases

by agronomists, delivers a reassuring biosecurity

service that protects these valuable industries. The

CropSafe program is delivered by Agriculture Victoria

(DJPR), in collaboration with major agribusiness

companies and a network of private consultants.

In 2018, 72 samples were submitted to CropSafe for

identification of unknown pests and diseases, down

from 150 samples submitted the previous year.

This decrease in disease was due to drier seasonal

conditions in 2018 compared to 2017, and a much

lower disease risk due to lack of rainfall during critical

infection periods and good overall disease

management. Agronomists improved knowledge on

endemics identification and education of exotic

symptoms through targeted industry training and

awareness through the CropSafe program, is also

likely to have decreased the number of endemic

samples being submitted.

The majority of samples were submitted from the

Wimmera with 49 per cent, followed by the Southern

region with 22 per cent (FIGURE 1).

All Victorian lupin samples submitted to CropSafe in

2018 were negative for anthracnose.

Lentils with unusual symptoms were also cleared of

exotic diseases. Samples were suspected to be

symptomatic due to dry seasonal conditions.

While 2018 had lower disease pressure there are still

several aggressive diseases such as chickpea

ascochyta blight that will need vigilant monitoring in

2019. Other crop diseases will also need to be

monitored and managed on an ‘as needs’ basis.

Consult a state disease or sowing guide for further

information.

FIGURE 1. PERCENTAGE OF SAMPLES SUBMITTED TO CROPSAFE

BY REGION IN 2018 (N=72)

Mallee15%

Northern14%

Southern22%

Wimmera49%

Percentage of samples submitted by each

region

PASSIVE CROP SURVEILLANCE

The 2018 CropSafe general surveillance survey

resulted in CropSafe agronomists reporting on just

over 1.9 million hectares which is approximately half of

the estimated 3.2 million hectares of grain crop in

Victoria (Table 1). Crops were inspected three to ten

times (averaging five times) during the growing

season, depending on the crop type and scouting

program required for crop pest and disease

management.

Table 1. 2018 Passive crop surveillance inspection reported to CropSafe

Crop Number of paddocks

Inspected Hectares

Wheat 9,004 620,628

Barley 5,309 470,322

Oats 1,416 67,232

Triticale 93 4,679

Canola 4,659 270,935

Lentils 1,881 236,631

Vetch 1,219 121,163

Field pea 417 52,109

Faba beans 646 43,555

Lupins 468 33,768

Chickpea 164 20,570

TOTAL 25,276 1,941,591

Table 2. Probability of freedom for 2018 based on the area surveyed by CropSafe agronomists for Victoria's top exotic pests and diseases in broadacre agriculture.

Exotic pest/ disease 2018

American Serpentine Leaf Miner 0.91600

Maize Leafhopper 0.99999

Turnip Moth 0.85538

Barley Stem Gall Midge 0.99437

European Wheat Stem Sawfly 1.00000

Cabbage Seedpod Weevil 0.90201

Canola Verticillium Wilt 0.94531

Fusarium Wilt of Canola 0.94531

Fusarium Wilt of Chickpea 0.50917

Barley Stripe Rust 0.99995

Lentil Rust 0.95467

Lupin Anthracnose 0.68911

Lentil Anthracnose 0.85283

Karnal Bunt 0.99878

* Given design prevalence of 1:1000 plants and 1:1000 crops affected, and a 1:20 year chance of incursion

Area of Freedom Data Thank you to the agronomists who provided details of passive crop surveillance for the 2018 cropping season. This critical information is an important component in the CropSafe program and assists the continuation of CropSafe services.

Surveillance information provides strong evidence that Victoria is free from exotic pests and diseases and can assist in maintaining and gaining market access.

Analysis of the surveillance statistics provided by CropSafe for all grain crops provides strong evidence of their health status (this can only be applied to exotics featured in the CropSafe manual and where we can be assured that participating agronomists are aware of these exotics and have had some level of training in their recognition).

It is recognised that the partnership with industry through CropSafe provides a breadth of crop health surveillance data and quality of disease freedom information, that cannot be achieved otherwise.

The sources of information to generate the area of freedom data remain anonymous.

For more information please contact Dale Boyd at

Agriculture Victoria Echuca on (03) 5482 0439 or email

dale.boyd@ecodev.vic.gov.au

2018 CROPSAFE FINDINGS

In 2018, 72 samples were submitted to CropSafe for

suspected exotic pests and diseases. This number

was lower than in 2017 and is the lowest number of

samples received during the lifetime of the project. An

average year sees between 100 and 200 samples

submitted.

Crop diseases caused 65 per cent of the symptoms on

the 2018 CropSafe samples submitted. Environmental

and stress related symptoms accounted for the

remaining samples.

Fifty-one per cent of samples submitted for

identification were pulses and cereals made up less

than 40 per cent (FIGURE ).

In late 2018, Turnip Yellow virus (TuYV) infection in

the southern region caused an influx of forage brassica

samples

Figure 3 shows the effect of the seasonal conditions

on the number of samples received when compared to

the long-term average. While there was the usual peak

of samples submitted during August, this number

dropped rapidly in September as frost and lack of

moisture became apparent in crops. The Mallee and

northern regions were particularly affected, and many

crops were either sprayed out or cut for hay. This

would have also reduced overall disease risk.

Training in 2018

Crop disease identification and management training.

Three one-day workshops were held in Horsham from

9-11 October with over 60 agronomists in attendance.

These workshops covered identification and management of diseases in canola, cereal and pulse crops.

Field days in 2018

A crown rot and nematode resistance field day was held on November 8, 2018.

FIGURE 2: PERCENTAGE OF CROP TYPES SUBMITTED TO CROPSAFE

DURING 2018. OTHER CROP TYPES WERE: LUPINS 7%, FIELD PEAS

4%, LUCERNE 3%, VETCH 1%, SUB-CLOVER 1% AND LINSEED 1%

FIGURE 3: THE NUMBER OF CROPSAFE SAMPLES RECEIVED EACH

MONTH DURING 2018 COMPARED TO THE 10 YEAR AVERAGE.

Other18%

Faba Beans8%

Forage brassica

11%

Lentils13%

Chickpea14%

Barley17%

Wheat19%

Percentage of crop types submitted

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Number of samples received by CropSafe

each month

2018 10 year average

2018 CROPSAFE FINDINGS BY REGION

The following pages are regional summaries of the CropSafe findings from 2018, outlining the pests and diseases that were issues in Victorian cropping.

Wimmera

The Wimmera region includes the West Wimmera,

Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and Northern Grampians

shires and Horsham rural city.

In the Wimmera, 35 CropSafe samples were received

during 2018 (55 during 2017). Cereals made up 52 per

cent and pulses 48 per cent (up from 45 and 31 per

cent respectively in 2016). No Russian wheat aphid

samples were diagnosed in 2018 from the Wimmera

region. Rhizoctonia was the most common cause of

disease in a range of crops submitted for disease in

2018. Sclerotinia was also found in some of the Lupin

sample submitted.

FIGURE 4: CROP TYPE BREAKDOWN OF SAMPLES SUBMITTED TO

CROPSAFE FROM THE WIMMERA REGION IN 2018. OTHER CROP

TYPES WERE: LUPINS 9%, FABA BEANS, 6%, FIELD PEAS 3% AND

LUCERNE 3%.

Other20%

Chickpea11%

Lentils17%

Wheat23%

Barley29%

Crop Type

TABLE 3: PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS OF CROPSAFE SAMPLES

SUBMITTED FROM THE WIMMERA REGION (ABIOTIC, NON-PEST OR

DISEASE SUBMISSIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED).

Diagnosis Number of

samples

Rhizoctonia 9

Sclerotinia 3

Pythium root rot 2

Ascochyta 1

Cercospora 1

Cereal Cyst Nematode (CCN) 1

Fusarium 1

Ring Spot 1

Root lesion nematode 1

Septoria 1

Stunt nematode 1

Environmental 6

Chemical damage 2

Frost damage 2

Nutritional disorder 2

Boron Toxicity 1

Mallee

The Mallee region includes Buloke and Gunnawarra

shires and Mildura and Swan Hill rural cities.

Only 11 samples were received by CropSafe from the

Mallee region during 2018, down from 21 in 2017.

Pulses accounted for 100 per cent of samples received

in 2018. By comparison in 2017 cereals accounted for

50 per cent of samples, pulses 32 per cent and

oilseeds 18 per cent.

Most of the damage seen in Mallee pulse crops

appeared to be due to environmental factors (abiotic

disease) rather than disease.

FIGURE 1: CROP TYPE BREAKDOWN OF SAMPLES SUBMITTED TO

CROPSAFE FROM THE MALLEE REGION IN 2018.

TABLE 4: PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS OF CROPSAFE SAMPLES SUBMITTED

FROM THE MALLEE REGION (ABIOTIC, NON-PEST OR DISEASE

SUBMISSIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED)

Diagnosis Number of

samples

Bacterial blight 1

Environmental 7

Herbicide damage 2

Frost damage 1

Chickpea46%

Faba Beans18%

Lentils27%

Pea9%

Crop Type

Southern

The southern region includes Glenelg, Southern

Grampians, Moyne, Pyrenees, Corangamite, Colac-

Otway, Golden Plains, Hepbourn, Moorabool,

Surfcoast, Cardinia, Baw Baw, Bass Coast, South

Gippsland, Wellington and East Gippsland shires. Also

included in the region is the city of Greater Geelong,

Ballarat, La Trobe and Melbourne.

A total of 16 samples were submitted to CropSafe from

the Southern region during 2018 (29 in 2017). Brassicas

were the most common crop submitted and represented

50 per cent of all samples received, followed by cereals

with 28 per cent.

A range of diseases were identified including Pythium

root rot, TuYV (formerly BWYV) and Septoria. Eyespot

was also found in two samples.

FIGURE 2: CROP TYPE BREAKDOWN OF SAMPLES SUBMITTED TO

CROPSAFE FROM THE SOUTHERN REGION IN 2018. OTHER CROP

TYPES: BARLEY 6%, CHICKPEAS 6%, FABA BEANS 6%, LINSEED

6% AND LUPINS 6%.

Other 28%

Brassica11%

Wheat22%

Forage brassica

39%

Crop Type

TABLE 5: PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS OF CROPSAFE SAMPLES

SUBMITTED FROM THE SOUTHERN REGION (ABIOTIC, NON-PEST

OR DISEASE SUBMISSIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED)

Diagnosis Number of samples

Turnip Yellows Virus 7

Rhizoctonia 2

Bacterial blight 1

Net form of net blotch 1

Pratylenchus nematode 1

Septoria blotch 1

Stripe rust 1

Fusarium 1

Frost damage 1

Northern

The northern region includes Loddon, Campaspe,

Central Goldfields, Mount Alexander, Macedon

Ranges, Mitchell, Strathbogie, Moira, Mansfield,

Alpine, Indigo and Towong shires; the rural cities of

Benalla, Wangaratta and Wodonga; and the cities of

Greater Bendigo and Greater Shepparton.

In the Northern region, 10 samples were received by

CropSafe during 2018 (32 in 2017). Cereals

represented 30 per cent of these, with pulses

representing 50 per cent of samples submitted. Bean

leaf roll was detected early in the season in an

irrigated pasture that was ploughed in. Subsequent

testing of surrounding pastures was negative for the

virus. The most common disease was rhizoctonia.

FIGURE 3: CROP TYPE BREAKDOWN OF SAMPLES SUBMITTED TO

CROPSAFE FROM THE NORTHERN REGION IN 2018.

TABLE 6: PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS OF CROPSAFE SAMPLES SUBMITTED

FROM THE NORTHERN REGION (ABIOTIC, NON-PEST OR DISEASE

SUBMISSIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED)

Diagnosis Number of

samples

Rhizoctonia 4

Bacterial blight 1

Bean leafroll virus (BLRV) 1

Spot form of net blotch 1

Turnip Yellows Virus (formerly Beet western yellows virus) 1

Warehouse beetle 1

Environmental/physiological 1

Barley10%

Faba Beans10%

Forage brassica

10%

Lucerne10%

Lupins10%

Pea10%

Sub clover10%

Vetch and Ryegrass

10%

Wheat20%

Crop Type

FURTHER INFORMATION

Diagnostics

From receipt at the Agriculture Victoria Horsham site,

the expected turnaround time is about 10 days for

samples requiring visual or laboratory-based

diagnosis. Samples requiring virus testing or more in-

depth diagnosis by Crop Health Services in Melbourne

may take longer. Final results are delivered via email

with a follow up phone call where required.

Sampling reminder

When sampling, collect two to three plants with a

range of symptoms. Please include roots plus a

healthy sample for comparison. It is best to dig plants

out, as pulling plants from the ground will damage the

root system. Shake loose dirt from roots, wrap in moist

paper and place in a sealed plastic bag. For pest

specimens, place in a sealed jar along with pieces of

host material.

Record all known information on the CropSafe

submission form. Distribution of symptoms, paddock

and chemical history are all vital to assist with prompt

diagnosis. Keep samples away from heat and light

before putting them in the mail. Please list your

agronomist code on the submission sheet. If this is

unknown, please contact the CropSafe team.

Disease updates

Of particular concern to our cropping industry are

exotic diseases (not presently found in Australia)

including barley stripe rust, bunted cereals, rust on

lentils or field peas, and wheat saw stem fly as outlined

in the CropSafe manual.

Samples should be sent to:

CropSafe, Department of Economic Development,

Private Bag 260, Horsham, Vic. 3401

For more information visit the CropSafe page:

http://bit.ly/1gb9ox0 or contact CropSafe coordinator,

Luise Sigel at Agriculture Victoria Horsham on (03)

4344 3370 or (03) 4344 3111.

© The State of Victoria Department of Jobs, Precincts and

Regions

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria as author. The licence does not apply to any images, photographs or branding, including the Victorian Coat of Arms, the Victorian Government logo, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions logo, Agriculture Victoria logo and CropSafe logo. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en DISCLAIMER This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. ACCESSIBILITY If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, please telephone CropSafe on: (03) 4344 3111 or e-mail Crop.Safe@ecodev.vic.gov.au

@GNAlertSouth