Historical document
Benchmarking predictive models, nutrients and irrigation for management of downy and powdery mildews and white blister (VG07070)
Publication date: November 1, 2011
Delivery Partner: Victorian Department of Primary Industries (VICDPI)
This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.
This project focused on white blister on brassicas, powdery mildew on cucurbits and downy mildew and anthracnose on lettuce. The project determined the efficacy and economics which could be achieved with weekly fungicide sprays, disease predictive models, irrigation timing and growing a resistant variety, but the latter was the most superior IPM tool. It evaluated the benefits of nutrient management; developed a disease predictive model for powdery mildew of cucurbits and a detection kit for airborne spores of white blister.
Major outcomes of the research
The world’s first white blister spore detection kit was developed for use with the white blister disease predictive model (Brassicaspot™). This detection kit was a major addition to the current disease control tools. Scientific and economic analysis of field trials demonstrated that the number of fungicide spray applications based on predictions of the Brassicaspot™ model could be reduced by 12-13, which corresponded to a 77 per cent reduction in disease on broccoli heads and an increase in profits of 13 per cent, during dry conditions. Irrigating broccoli crops in the morning rather than the evening reduced disease by 58 per cent and increased profit by 3 per cent. Growing a broccoli variety with resistance to white blister reduced disease by 99 per cent and increased profit 11 per cent.
A disease predictive model for downy mildew on lettuce (BREMCAST™) showed timing fungicide sprays based on model predictions could reduce spray programs by 1-3, reduce disease by 50-70 per cent and increase profits by 20 per cent. High rates of calcium nitrate applied to lettuce seedlings reduced susceptibility to downy mildew and anthracnose.
The world’s first powdery mildew disease predictive model (PMRI) for powdery mildew of cucurbits grown under Australian conditions was developed and a preliminary trial indicated a reduction of one spray could be achieved.
This project was part of the HAL Plant Pathology Program and the commissioned research was undertaken with the support of HAL; the Federal Government; the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria; and The University of Queensland.
Recommendations for future research and development
Recommendations to industry
To maximize the production of broccoli, lettuce and cucurbits and meet the high aesthetic standards of the marketplace:
Related industries
This historical project was a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund
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