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

Previous Pause Next

Articles

  • Six potatoes of the White Star variety

    Washed ware potato policy review: draft pest categorisation

    14 November 2016

    The department is reviewing its policy in regards to the import of washed ware potatoes from other Australian states and territories.

  • 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.

  • null

    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.

  • Cucumber mosaic virus in Capsicum

    31 January 2014

    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

  • 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.

  • A number of carrots showing the symptoms of severe root damage caused by carrot virus Y

    Carrot virus Y

    5 May 2014

    Carrot virus Y has been found in carrot crops throughout Australia.

  • Six potatoes of the White Star variety

    Ware potatoes: initiation of policy review

    5 January 2016

    The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia has initiated a policy review of the importation of washed ware potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) from other Australian states and terr

  • Cabbage showing necrotic flecks and patches characteristic of turnip mosaic virus

    Virus diseases of vegetable brassica crops

    16 July 2014

    Turnip mosaic virus, cauliflower mosaic virus and beet western yellows virus occasionally cause significant economic loss in vegetable brassica crops such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Chinese

  • Carrot seed which is a dark colour and a torpedo shape

    Vegetable seed treatments

    20 June 2014

    The treatment of vegetable seeds prior to planting can help control seed-borne diseases. Control of these diseases is necessary to prevent reduction in the crop yield.

Pages

Filter by search

Filter by topic