Oat growers will be able to better protect their crops from the increasing threat of the fungal disease Fusarium crown rot, with susceptibility ratings for varieties to be produced by a new project by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Oat production has expanded significantly in Western Australia in recent years, moving into low to medium rainfall areas where crown rot is more prevalent.
However, little is known about the impact of crown rot on oat yields in these areas and how growing oats influences the inoculum for the following year’s wheat crop.
Soil borne diseases, including crown rot, cost WA grain growers an estimated $105 million a year in yield and quality losses.
Research officer Daniel Huberli recently established two oat trials to evaluate the plant’s yield response to crown rot in a low rainfall site at Merredin, and a high rainfall location at Pingelly.
“We will be testing six varieties at each location, including Bannister, Carrolup, Kojonup, Mitika, Williams and Yallara,” he said.
“Two wheat varieties with known yield responses to crown rot have been included as controls – Emu Rock, one of the least susceptible varieties, and Mace, which is more susceptible.
“The test sites will be inoculated with crown rot and run under typical paddock management systems.”
Dr Huberli said the project would also examine the level of crown rot pathogen in different oat varieties and the impact on the following year’s wheat crop.
“This research will provide baseline information on whether there is an added benefit from sowing oats to reduce the level of disease,” he said.
Dr Huberli said the oat variety susceptibility ratings would assist growers to make more informed decisions about variety selection to minimise the risk of crown rot to their crops.
“Variety selection is one of the most important decision tools for grain producers to optimise their crop production and profitability,” he said.
The project’s researchers are also seeking input from oat growers who have experienced crown rot in their crops.
“We are particularly interested to hear from growers who planted oats this year in paddocks that were previously sown to wheat affected by crown rot, who are willing to monitor for evidence of the disease in this year’s oat crop,” Dr Huberli said.
The field trials will be supported by a survey of the oat National Variety Trials, so the research trial findings can be extended to a broader area.
The two year research project is a part of the department’s $20 million Boosting Grains Research and Development project Flagship initiative, made possible by Royalties for Regions investment.
It complements the department’s work as part of the National Crown Rot project, funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, which is examining the impact of the disease on new and existing wheat and barley varieties.
Susceptibility ratings for crown rot are expected to be included in future Variety Sowing Guides for oats and the results extended to breeding companies to assist in the development of new, improved oat lines.
For more information about crown rot and treatment options click here. Details of the Boosting Grains Research and Development project click here.
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