Area wide management of vegetable diseases: viruses and bacteria (Qld report)

Abstract

VG16086 Area wide management of vegetable diseases: viruses and bacteria’ delivered its overall outcome for industry in providing updated, contemporary management strategies for important viral and bacterial diseases affecting Australian vegetable growers. These diseases impact producers nationally, collectively costing millions of dollars each year. Multiple project activities over the four-year period combined to produce the management strategies. This included national annual disease surveys to capture current disease concerns, review of past disease research and new research through multiple management trials and genetic diversity studies of pathogens and vectors. The trials were conducted in multiple districts for known highly impacting diseases (e.g mosaic of zucchini and viruses of capsicums) and for pectobacterium affecting zucchini which was identified through early surveys as an emerging concern. These activities also generated a priority list of endemic and exotic diseases of concern for the Australian vegetable industry. Additionally, the project delivered a second important outcome through improved biosecurity preparedness to six key exotic threats for the Australian vegetable industry. Contingency plans and factsheets were prepared for three exotic virus groups and three bacterial diseases.