Completed project
Optimising chemical and cultural control of onion white rot (VN20007)
This project developed a soil DNA test and improved management strategies to help onion growers better assess and manage the risk of onion white rot.
Ongoing project
Behavioural and biological management of endemic and exotic leafminers in protected cropping systems (BY22001)
Delivery Partner: Macquarie University
© 2026 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited.
This investment is exploring behavioural and biological methods of managing and detecting endemic and exotic leafminers in protected cropping systems.
The behavioural control aspect of the research will involve developing a visually attractive model trap and identifying volatiles/lures that when combined with the visual trap will have compounding effect on the attractiveness of the trap.
Additionally, the research will describe and identify vibrational signals that could be used as one of the control tools by masking mate recognition and location. This would be of particular value for the management of Liriomyza spp. as the adult life span is short and no chemically mediated mating disruption has been reported so far improving the feasibility of application of such tools.
The biological management will identify the best performing biocontrol agent determined through performance evaluations, and use of herbivore induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) to enhance field parasitism.
This project is funded through Hort Innovation's Frontiers program