Fungi

Fungi are eukaryotic (membrane bound nucleus) organisms that develop from reproductive bodies called spores. They can cause a number of diseases in animals and plants. As a disease of plants and animals, fungi are a risk for Western Australian primary producers as they impact upon market access and agricultural production.

WA is free from some of the world's major fungal diseases. Biosecurity measures on your property are vital in preventing the spread of fungal diseases.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides:

  • biosecurity/quarantine measures at the WA border to prevent the entry of fungal diseases.
  • where relevant post border biosecurity measures.
  • advice on widespread fungal diseases present in the state.

For advice on fungal diseases search our website, the Western Australian Organism List or contact our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS).

For diagnostic services, please contact our Diagnostic Laboratory Services.

Articles

  • The ORIA is free of major banana diseases found in the Northern Territory and Queensland, such as Panama disease and black sigatoka.

  • Banana freckle was detected in Dwarf Cavendish banana fruit in the Northern Territory in May 2022. The Northern Territory Government is responding to this new detection.

  • Blueberry rust is a fungal disease that affects blueberries and some relatives in the Ericaceae plant family. The disease was detected in Western Australia in April 2022.

  • Gnomoniopsis is a problem on some cultivars of strawberry, for example on the first flush of Festival early in the season. It can be carried over on planting material and early symptoms on leaves m

  • Brown spot is a fungal disease caused by Nothophoma quercina. It affects jujubes in Western Australia and has been reported in olives, pistachios and Chinese quince in other countries.

  • Apple scab or black spot is caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis.

  • Dry rot (Eremothecium coryli) is an exotic pest to Western Australia.

  • Dry rot (Eremothecium coryli) is a serious pest of citrus that can affect fruit palatability and citrus rootstock seed production. This pest is not known to occur in Western Australia.

  • Pink disease (Erythricium salmonicolor) is an exotic pest to Western Australia. It is a serious disease of citrus than can result in yield losses due to limb and tree death.

  • Pink disease (Erythricium salmonicolor) is a serious pest of citrus that can affect entire limbs and/or kill trees. This pest is not known to occur in Western Australia.