Soilborne Pathogen Identification and Management Strategies for Winter Cereals

As soilborne disease management is reliant on correct identification of the causal pathogen, it is important that growers and advisors are supplied with the knowledge to be able to achieve this. The purpose of this investment is to extend to growers and advisors the different methods for correctly identifying soilborne pathogens. It will incorporate extension activities to assist symptom identification on the roots, promote the use of diagnostic services for pathogens that are difficult to identify by the naked-eye or may be present in a pathogen complex, and demonstrate management options available to reduce soilborne pathogen inoculum and impact.

GRDC will consider one investment across all three regions or separate investments per specified region/s. If separate investments are proposed, applicants should suggest mechanisms to ensure collaboration across all regions.

NOTE: The Northern and Western regions components will commence in the 2019 season. The Southern region component will commence in the 2020 season following the conclusion of the “Increasing regional capacity in identification of crown root infection of Rhizoctonia and awareness of yield penalties in the Southern region”.