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

  • Symptoms of Citrus black spot on oranges

    Citrus black spot: declared pest

    2 April 2014

    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 on external orange fruit surface showing characteristic small spots. Photo © NSW Department of Primary Industries.

    Septoria spot of citrus: pest data sheet

    25 February 2014

    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.

  • Leaf symptoms of Little cherry disease

    Little cherry disease: pest data sheet

    10 February 2014

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Affected plants stunted with stiff, rolled leaves, which are sometimes darker than those of healthy plants.

    Diagnosing rhizoctonia root rot in cereals

    4 December 2013

    A widespread root disease caused by a soil-borne fungus and generating yield losses of 1-5% in Western Australia each year.

  • Early treatment of powdery mildew

    3 May 2016

    In 2015 powdery mildew reached damaging levels in several regions. With the green bridge leading into the 2016 season, the disease could have significant impacts.

  • White pinprick spot form

    Diagnosing physiological leaf spot in barley

    20 January 2014

    Physiological leaf spotting occurs in many forms that may be easily mistaken for spotting symptoms caused by pathogens or herbicides. It is not thought to affect yield.

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