Australia
February 20, 2015

Recent outbreaks of halo blight and tan spot in mungbean crops across the northern cropping belt have prompted industry calls for growers to submit samples for research and testing.

Supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the research aims to identify individual disease strains and will pave the way for the development of more resistant varieties according to Pulse Australia national manager Gordon Cumming.

“In recent years, a new halo blight pathogen has been identified. A key part of the current research is identifying what strains we have in commercial crops so that the breeding team can target the relevant strains in the development of more resistant cultivars,” Mr Cumming said.

“It is critical we receive as many halo blight and tan spot samples as possible, particularly from a wide range of geographic regions.”

Halo blight and tan spot are seed borne bacterial diseases and can cause widespread and severe yield losses.

Growers are being urged to contact Lisa Kelly at DAFF prior to sending samples on (07) 4688 1590, 0477 747 040 or lisa.kelly@daff.qld.gov.au. Samples displaying diseased symptoms should be sent to 203 Tor Street, Toowoomba Qld, 4350.

More information on halo blight and tan spot management is available in the online Mungbean GrowNotes module www.grdc.com.au/GrowNotes

Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: February 20, 2015