Western Australian grain growers, consultants and agronomists surveying crops for signs of Russian wheat aphid, which was detected in South Australia and Victoria recently, have been urged to adhere to strict on-farm biosecurity protocols.
Department of Agriculture and Food Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer John van Schagen said surveillance was critical to demonstrate both the absence and presence of the pest in WA.
Mr van Schagen said it was important for those carrying out surveillance to be extra cautious about their movements to prevent any risk of spreading the pest.
“While Russian wheat aphid is usually spread by the wind, it could also be spread by machinery, clothes and equipment so people surveying should be extremely careful about their movements,” he said.
“After inspections, it is best to wash hands and brush down clothes and boots that have been in contact with crops.”
Given the risk of spreading infected plant material, the department would prefer reports to be sent via its MyPestGuide Reporter or PestFax Reporter smart phone apps or online.
Meanwhile, the department has expanded its surveillance activities to monitor more widely for Russian wheat aphid, including routinely monitoring trial and research sites.
The department has also written to consultants and industry stakeholders, as well as those in the nursery and garden industry, to request their assistance in surveying.
“Ideally, we would like growers to send at least one report per week from wheat or barley crops or from volunteer cereal plants or Poaceae grasses,” Mr van Schagen said.
“We encourage consultants and agronomists to lodge one report per property visited, as part of their normal business activity, while members of the nursery and garden industry are asked to deliver one report per retail outlet that sells Poaceae plants.”
As it was difficult to discern between aphid types, industry has been advised to report all aphid activity or crop symptoms to the department.
“It is important that growers and consultants continue to monitor crops right up until heading and report any suspect crop symptoms,” Mr van Schagen said.
“Look for symptoms such as streaking, leaf curling and redness in both wheat and barley crops, as well as weeds, such as wild oats.”
For more information about Russian wheat aphid on-farm biosecurity and regular updates visit agric.wa.gov.au/rwa2016, which includes details about how to use the smart phone apps.
Media contacts: Jodie Thomson/Megan Broad, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937