Improved Farming Systems for Managing Soilborne pathogens of ginger in Fiji and Australia

Development of improved farming systems for ginger to decrease damage caused by soil-borne pathogens in Fiji and Australia.

Hardwood Plantation P&D Semiochemistry

Insects can cause considerable damage in hardwood plantations and because pesticide use is controversial, future pest management may rely on manipulating insect behaviour. Insects use infochemical cues to identify and locate mates and host plants and this can be used to manipulate their behaviour and reduce pest impacts in plantations. Infochemicals include chemical signals produced by insects, such as pheromones and kairomones, or those produced by host plants as odours or volatiles that are attractive to insects. This research is learning how insects perceive and interact with chemical cues or infochemicals in their environment and how these interactions can be manipulated for monitoring and control. Pest species being investigated include the giant wood moth (Endoxyla cinerea), Culama wood moths, the eucalypt leaf beetle (Paropsis atomaria), red cedar tip moth (Hypsipyla robusta) and several longicorn wood borers. The project will contribute to new strategies for minimising damage and controlling pest densities in Queensland's hardwood plantations.

The cause, distribution and economic importance of fruit speckle of banana in north Queensland

Banana Fruit Speckle.

Management of Papaya diseases in North Queensland

Management of Papaya diseases in North Queensland.

Alternaria Fruit Spot: New Directions

This project determined the identity of causal pathogens, epidemiology and disease cycle of Alternaria leaf blotch and fruit spot in Australian apples and provided a management strategy for both diseases for inclusion in the integrated fruit production manual.

Vegetable plant and Soil health

Vegetable plant and Soil health.

IPM strategies in pome and stonefruit in Western Australia and Queensland

In association with Western Australia develop monitoring and alternative control measures pest thrip species of apples and stonefruit in Queensland.

Developing and communicating strategies for controlling virus diseases in vegetable cucurbit crops

Virus diseases cause serious yield and quality losses in field grown cucurbit crops worldwide. In Australia, the main viruses of cucurbits are Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), Squash mosaic virus (SqMV), Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV). Plants infected early have severely distorted fruit. High infection incidences, of ZYMV and PRSV in crops cause losses of marketable fruit of up to 100% and infected crops are often abandoned. Two new alternative hosts of ZYMV were identified, the native cucurbit Cucumis maderaspatanus and wild legume Rhyncosia minima. No new alternative hosts of PRSV, SqMV or WMV were found in Western Australia or Queensland. Seed transmission of ZYMV (0.7%) was found in seedlings grown from ZYMV-infected fruit of zucchini but not of pumpkin. None was detected with PRSV or SqMV in zucchini or pumpkin seedlings, respectively. ZYMV spread to pumpkins by aphids was greater downwind than upwind of a virus source. Delaying sowing by 2 weeks decreased ZYMV spread. Millet non-host barriers between pumpkin plantings slowed ZYMV infection. Host resistance gene (zym) in cucumber cultivars was effective against ZYMV. Pumpkin cultivars with resistance gene (Zym) became infected under high virus pressure but leaf symptoms were milder and infected plants higher yielding with more market-acceptable fruit than those without Zym. Most zucchini cultivars with Zym developed severe leaf and fruit symptoms. ZYMV, PRSV, WMV and SqMV spread readily from infected to healthy cucurbit plants by direct leaf contact. ZYMV survives and remains infective on diverse surfaces for up to 6 hours but can be inactivated by some disinfectants. Phylogenetic analysis indicates at least three separate introductions of ZYMV into Australia, with new introductions rarely occurring. ZYMV isolates clustered into three groups according to collection location i) Kununurra, ii) Northern Territory and iii) Carnarvon, Qld and Vic. A multiplex Real-Time PCR was developed which distinguished between the three groups of Australian isolates. Integrated disease management (IDM) strategies for virus diseases of vegetable cucurbit crops grown in the field were improved incorporating the new information gathered. These strategies are aimed at causing using minimal extra expense, labour demands and disruption to normal practices.

Integrated viral disease management in vegetable crops

Integrated viral disease management in vegetable crops.

Fruit fly host status testing of a new passionfruit cultivar

Fruit fly host status testing of a new passionfruit cultivar.

Porous silica-based nanocapsules for targeted and controlled release of biocides

Develops a new technology for the delivery of biocides against agricultural pests, with biocides contained within silica nanocapsules which are themselves protected by an outer envelope, capable of being selectively broken down by the target pest. Will reduce the amount of biocide escaping into the environment, prolong the life of the biocide, reduce biocide usage rates, and reduce undesirable effects on non-target organisms.

Management of Phytophthora fruit rot and Pythium-related root rot of papaya

Management of Phytophthora fruit rot and Pythium-related root rot of papaya.

Testing Postharvest Mango treatments

The effectiveness of Amistar and ASM combinations, in reducing the severity of postharvest anthracnose and stem end rot in mango.

Best management options for onion thrips in onions

Best management options for onion thrips.

CRC40088 Pre-harvest for Fruit Fly

CRCNPB funded project aimed to develop improved pre-harvest control strategies for Queensland fruit fly based on autecology and behaviour.