Determining the cause, extent, impact and potential control measures for an unidentified disorder in sunflower crops in Central Qld

Abstract

An unknown plant disorder has devastated sunflower crops across Central Queensland (CQ) since 2004 and has resulted
in major reductions in sunflower plantings. This project identified the causal agent of the disorder as tobacco
streak virus (TSV), a member of the Ilavirus genus. The virus is transmitted by thrips that carry infected pollen grains from infected weed and crop hosts. Partheniumhysterophorus, a major and widespread weed of pastures in CQ, is the major alternative host of the virus. Several other common weeds and field crops are also known to be hosts. TSV caused significant yield losses in CQ mungbean crops in 2006-07. Preliminary recommendations to minimise the impact of TSV have been developed.