The guides have been produced with support from the Grains Research and Development Corporation and provide updated disease ratings and advice on reducing disease risk this season to help farmers plan their disease management.
Agriculture Victoria’s cereal pathologist Hari Dadu said the release of the updated cereal disease guides complemented earlier advice this season from Agriculture Victoria.
“They contain the latest disease resistance ratings to assist growers with their management plans and help prevent yield loss,” Dr Dadu said.
“Within the guide, we advise on how to proactively manage risk, particularly of stripe rust which wreaked havoc in wheat crops last year.
“Choosing a variety that is less susceptible to disease using the ratings in our guide is a recommended step to keep disease at bay.
“It’s also important for cereal growers to avoid managing disease solely through fungicide treatment, so the guide has advice on reducing the risk of fungicide resistance through crop rotation.”
For pulse growers, this year’s edition will be of particular interest as it includes new botrytis grey mould ratings for lentils.
Agriculture Victoria pulse pathologist Joshua Fanning said the lentil varieties GIA Leader, PBA Hallmark XT and PBA Kelpie XT had been provisionally downgraded and would need to be monitored more closely during 2023.
“It’s essential for growers to use the latest edition, as disease ratings are reviewed and revised annually,” Dr Fanning said.
“Last year’s wet conditions were highly conducive for pulse diseases across Victoria and have impacted the ratings of some varieties and disease ratings have changed to reflect this.
“Due to the high risk posed by stubble-borne diseases, growers should not double-crop paddocks.”
The 2023 pulse and cereal disease guides are available on the Agriculture Victoria website and from AppleBooks.
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