Scientists from the NSW Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are taking the lead on multi-million-dollar research projects focussing on tackling soil-borne diseases that cost Australian crop farmers more than a billion dollars a year.
The projects are part of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Soilborne Disease Initiative, a coordinated $34.6 million, five-year, Australia-wide research program. GRDC estimates soil-borne diseases cause $1.71 billion in lost grain production annually nationwide, including $1.23 billion in wheat alone.
“NSW growers need regionally proven integrated disease management strategies so that soil-borne diseases do not become an economic barrier to continuing and further adoption of environmentally beneficial farming practices,” said DPIRD Director Cropping Systems, Guy McMullen.
“Without such intervention, growers may have to resort to more aggressive stubble management practices such as burning and cultivation, which have associated negative impacts on the environment from soil erosion, air pollution through increased frequency of dust storms, and greenhouse gas emissions.
“The capacity building part of these projects is critical to ensuring the availability of expertise to respond to sporadic issues with endemic diseases and regional biosecurity capacity in the event of exotic incursions.”
The research, which is focused on fusarium crown rot in grains and cereals and Sclerotinia stem rot in broadleaf crops will provide growers with integrated disease management strategies to minimise yield loss and economic impacts.
Integrated disease management strategies could include a combination of crop rotation, stubble management, varietal disease tolerance, strategic fungicide use and novel strategies such as application of biological control agents.
- Fusarium crown rot mainly affects winter cereal crops including wheat, barley, durum wheat and triticale and is a major issue in dryland farming systems across Australia, including NSW. It is estimated to cost growers in NSW and Queensland around $112 million annually.
- Sclerotinia stem rot, often called “white mould”, is a major fungal disease that affects a range of broadleaf crops, particularly in higher rainfall or irrigated systems, including canola, chickpea, lupin, and faba bean. It is estimated to cost NSW southern region growers around $70 million annually.
The projects will also have a strong focus on skills transfer of research methodologies and capacity building to support the management of future soil-borne disease issues.
“We know this is a critical area for growers and advisers, which is why we have committed to bringing current and new research together in a highly effective multi-disciplinary way,” said Grains Research and Development Corporation Managing Director, Nigel Hart.
“By bringing together Australia’s leading researchers and communication and extension specialists, we’re ensuring growers and advisers have the information, support and confidence they need to adopt and implement new and improved disease management strategies.
“To help address the specific needs of the northern cropping regions, nodes will be developed in partnership with NSW DPIRD, University of Queensland, and the University of Southern Queensland.”
NSW DPIRD plant pathologist, Dr Steven Simpfendorfer, a national expert on Fusarium crown rot, is leading the state’s contribution to that disease theme and DPIRD broadleaf crop pathologist, Dr Kurt Lindbeck is leading the national theme on Sclerotinia stem rot.
The importance of managing soil-borne diseases has increased as growers adopt conservation cropping practices, in particular stubble retention, which has associated environmental benefits of reduced soil erosion, reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, increased water use efficiency, and improved drought resilience.
Soil-borne diseases also reduce nitrogen use efficiency, which not only increases the economic impact to farmers but also elevates greenhouse gas emissions through the need to apply more artificial fertiliser to compensate.
Recent crop vulnerability studies have highlighted that the impact of soil-borne diseases will increase further under future climate scenarios making this is a priority area for future sustainable land use and nature positive research.
“Soil-borne diseases are responsible for more than half of total yield losses from disease in Australian grain crops,” said Grains Research and Development Corporation Board Chair, Sharon Starick.
“Through this initiative, GRDC will invest $20 million nationally, complemented by an additional $14 million from collaborating research partners.
“As part of the program, which builds on past research, we aim to equip Australian grain growers with practical, economic and innovative soil-borne disease management strategies that reduce the financial impact of these diseases on their farming businesses.”
Visit the GRDC website to learn more about the Soil-borne disease initiative.
