What was it all about?

This short, late-2018 project conducted a review of existing information on the bacteria responsible for blackleg/soft rot diseases in potatoes, as well as similar bacteria that cause diseases in other crops where learnings may be relevant for the potato industry. Although crop losses from potato blackleg disease are low in Australia, soft rot bacterial species are listed in the top 10 important bacterial plant pathogens based on their global economic impact.

This review found several documented cases overseas of biosecurity breaches that suggest that there could be significant threats for Australian horticulture amongst this group of bacteria. As a result, the project’s final report presents several recommendations for the potato industry to consider, to ensure that the biosecurity risks are accurately estimated, and appropriate preparedness and management strategies are implemented. These detailed recommendations are now available for industry to review. Hort Innovation has also taken these findings to the potato industry Strategic Investment Advisory Panels for their consideration when it comes to the future investment of the fresh and processing potato levies.