Pests, weeds & diseases

Pests, weeds and diseases pose a serious risk for primary producers as they can impact on market access and agricultural production.

To reduce the impact of pests, weeds and diseases, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development:

  • works with landholders, grower groups, community groups and biosecurity groups.
  • provides diagnostic services and information on prevention, management and treatment.
  • provides biosecurity and quarantine measures to prevent introduction, and to eradicate or manage current pests.

For advice on pests, weeds and 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

  • Canola in a paddock at different growth stages

    Making tough decisions about failed crops

    18 August 2017

    In poor growing seasons, crops may not be good enough to harvest.  Managers need to make some tough decisions, after assessing feed value for livestock, potential weed seed set, level of herbicide

  • trial site image

    Primary Industries Development 2023 Research Trials Map

    22 January 2018

    In 2023, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is conducting more than 250 research trials across the state.

  • Nozzles for spraying herbicides

    Residual herbicides - carryover and behaviour in dry conditions

    8 June 2018

    The term 'residual' applies to a number of herbicides that have a long lasting activity in the soil. These herbicides are often applied directly to the soil prior to planting crops, pre-emergent.

  • Wheat re-growth and broad-leafed weeds form a green bridge

    Control of green bridge for pest and disease management

    19 December 2013

    In Western Australia's Mediterranean-type climate, the survival of pests and diseases over summer is often critical in determining pest outbreaks and disease epidemics in broadacre crops.

  • Sheep grazing pastures in spring

    Spray-topping pastures

    28 July 2014

    Spray-topping or pasture topping is the application of a sub-lethal rate of herbicide when grasses are coming into head and flowering.

  • A subclover and barleygrass pasture that has been spray-topped on the right hand side

    Effect of spray-topping on pasture legumes

    28 July 2014

    Spray-topping is a very effective method for managing annual grass seed set in pastures.

  • A lupin crop at the 80% leaf drop stage ideal for a crop-topping application

    Crop-topping pulse crops

    28 July 2014

    'Crop-topping' is the late application of herbicides to prevent weed seed-set.

  • One-off soil inversion using a mouldboard plough

    Soil inversion to ameliorate soil water repellence

    19 December 2010

    One-off soil inversion results in the complete burial of the water repellent topsoil in a layer typically at a depth of 15 to 35 cm, and brings to the surface a layer of wettable subsoil.

  • Windmill grass in fallow

    Windmill grass

    23 May 2012

    Windmill grass (Chloris truncata) is a native species and is the tenth most common summer weed species in the Western Australian wheatbelt.

  • Annual ryegrass

    Annual ryegrass

    6 October 2011

    Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) is one of the most serious and costly weeds of annual winter cropping systems in southern Australia.

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