What was it all about?

This project, which ran from 2012 to 2017, brought together a team to deliver improved, sustainable and efficient disease management strategies for the macadamia industry.

Among its broad range of work, the project involved…

• Developing a sustainable and integrated disease management strategy for husk spot, caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudocercospora macadamiae. This management system extended from risk assessment and cultural practices (including those to break an existing disease cycle) to the application of crop protection products and the use of resistant macadamia varieties. Information was communicated to growers at various MacGroup meetings.
  
  
• Developing and communicating to industry, management strategies for Phytophthora root rot – caused by soilborne pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi – involving targeted application of crop protection products and an increased focus on soil health. During 2016, the industry reported increasing adoption of integrated management approaches for Phytophthora diseases.
  
  
• Providing diagnostic services to the macadamia industry to identify and investigate new and emerging diseases of potential high risk to macadamia productivity.
  
  
• Developing a framework for integrated disease management throughout the production chain, to help make the industry resilient to new pathogens or the resurgence of old ones.

ACT NOW

Watch this video on holistically managing Phytophthora root rot (7 mins), which summarises the project’s key messages around managing the disease and producing resilient trees.