Are you regularly checking DPIRD’s 2019 canola blackleg spore shower forecasts?
The department's blackleg spore showers forecasts for Western Australia for the 2019 growing season are available online.
Growers are reminded to check the risk of blackleg in their current canola crops and apply appropriate measures to minimize the risk of yield loss.
The DPIRD blackleg sporacle model predicts the onset of blackleg spore release from canola stubble for 26 canola growing districts of Western Australia.
The department’s latest blackleg forecast, which is current to 7 May 2019, is predicting high risk of blackleg in canola in most of the south coastal and some of the great southern regions, moderate risk in the central region and low risk in most of the northern region canola cops.
The blackleg spore shower risk will change each week as the season progresses depending upon the weather conditions in the coming weeks, therefore, growers are urged to check the weekly updates. Refer to the department’s Canola blackleg spore maturity forecast for Western Australia page to check the blackleg sporacle model forecast for your district.
The overall risk of blackleg infection on a property will be determined by factors such as choice of resistant variety, paddock rotation, fungicide usage, distance from previous year’s canola residues and stubble reduction.
To minimise the risk of blackleg infection growers should consider;
- Sowing into paddocks that are out of canola rotation for more than three years.
- Avoiding sowing within 500m of last year’s canola residues.
- Applying seed dressing and fertilizer applied fungicide. Reduced sensitivity to Jockey has been reported in some WA blackleg populations, use caution while applying this fungicide.
- Applying foliar application in case of high disease pressure.
For further details on blackleg management and current blackleg ratings refer to GRDC’s Blackleg Management Guide (2019 autumn variety ratings) and Plan ahead to fight blackleg in canola this season media release.
DPIRD has created a BlacklegCM app. This app is designed to assist growers and consultants to determine the best and most profitable management strategy to reduce blackleg disease and increase profits. To download the BlacklegCM app, go to the App Store or Google Play store from your iPad or Android tablet and search for BlacklegCM or refer to the department's BlacklegCM page.
For more information about blackleg in canola contact Ravjit Khangura, Research Officer, South Perth on +61 (0)8 9368 3374 or Andrea Hills, Research officer, Esperance on +61 (0)8 9083 1144.
For more information about the blackleg sporacle model contact Kawsar Salam, Research officer, South Perth on +61 (0)8 9368 3104.
For more information about the BlacklegCM app contact Art Diggle, Senior Research Officer, South Perth on +61 (0)8 9368 3563.