Diseases

Diseases have a detrimental effect on plants and animals and impact on market access and agricultural production. Diseases include micro-organisms, disease agents (bacteria, fungi and viruses), infectious agents, parasites and genetic disorders.

Western Australia is free from some of the world's major agricultural and livestock diseases. Biosecurity measures on your property are vital in preventing the spread of diseases.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides:

  • biosecurity/quarantine measures at the WA border to prevent the entry of plant and animal diseases
  • post border biosecurity measures for harmful animal and plant diseases
  • advice on widespread diseases present in the state.

For advice on animal and plant 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

  • 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.

  • Citrus black spot is caused by the fungus Guignardia citricarpa. It is not known to occur in Western Australia, but is found in other parts of Australia.

  • Citrus black spot (Guignardia citricarpa) is a fungal disease of citrus trees that can affect external fruit quality. This disease is not known to occur in Western Australia.

  • Septoria spot of citrus (Septoria citri) is an exotic disease to Western Australia. It is a serious pest that causes fruit blemishes, affecting saleability for the fresh fruit market.

  • Ampelovirus Little cherry virus 2 (LChV-2) is one cause of little cherry disease (LCD) and is an exotic pest to Western Australia.

  • Fusarium dry rot can cause breakdown of potatoes in storage as well as breakdown of seed pieces after planting. Worldwide, it is one of the most important postharvest diseases of potatoes.

  • White rot of Allium species (caused by Sclerotium cepivorum) has been confirmed in garlic from a Perth backyard and a property in the Swan Valley.

  • Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is an aphid-borne virus that infects a wide range of plant species including vegetable crops and weeds.  In Western Australia CMV infection in capsicum causes yield and

  • Carrot leaf blight is a disease commonly found in carrot crops in Western Australia. It is usually caused by the fungus Alternaria dauci and occasionally by A. radicina.

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