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.

See Also

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Articles

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    Onion smut: declared pest

    20 December 2019

    Onion smut (Urocystis cepulae) is a disease of onions. This disease is absent from Western Australia.

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    Late blight of potato and tomato: declared pest

    4 April 2019

    Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is considered the most devastating disease of potatoes worldwide and caused the Irish potato famine in the 1840s.

  • Null

    Onion rust: declared pest

    11 April 2019

    Onion rust (Puccinia allii) is a disease of plants in the onion family, including onions, garlic, chives, spring onions and leeks.

  • The roots of a broccoli plant which are swollen and distorted due to infection by the fungus which causes clubroot.

    Managing clubroot in vegetable brassica crops

    7 November 2013

    Clubroot is caused by the pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae.

  • Broccoli head ready for harvest. It is about 15 centimeters in diameter and is a compact circular dome in shape.

    Diseases of vegetable brassicas

    28 October 2013

    Broccoli, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are members of the brassica family.

  • Abnormal growth of broccoli head due to white blister infection

    White blister disease in vegetable brassica crops

    11 November 2013

    White blister is a fungal disease caused by Albugo candida. It affects many brassica crops including broccoli and cauliflower and some brassica weeds.

  • Carrot crop, Myalup, Western Australia

    Host range of carrot cavity spot fungus

    11 October 2013

    Cavity spot disease of carrots in Australia is mainly caused by the soil-borne fungus Pythium sulcatum.

  • A potato tuber cut in half revealing fungal growth inside a cavity

    Fusarium dry rot of potatoes

    21 November 2013

    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.

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    Biosecurity alert: white rot in garlic

    25 October 2016

    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.

  • Leaf blight affected carrot crop

    Leaf blight of carrots

    10 October 2013

    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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