Pulse Australia

Seasonal conditions have varied widely across Australian cropping areas. Generally, conditions have not favoured diseases, even though many need only limited moisture to infect crops (heavy dew may provide enough moisture). Monitoring needs to be continued through the different growth stages of the crop. With good access for ground sprayers this year, allowing for high water rates and canopy penetration, timely fungicide application will give the crop the best chance of a high yield.

Recall of Motac 500 SC Fungicide and Spin Flo Systemic Fungicide

Megoura crassicauda is a new pest in Australia that could impact some legume crops, particularly faba bean, broad bean and vetch. Megoura crassicauda is an aphid species native to north-east Asia, and was considered an exotic pest in Australia prior to its detection on broad bean plants in a suburb of metropolitan Sydney, October 2016. After this initial detection in Australia, eradication of M. crassicauda was deemed unfeasible based on previous unsuccessful attempts to eradicate exotic aphid species.

PBA Leeman is a high yielding narrow leaf lupin suited to an area stretching from the Northern Agricultural Region through to the Lakes District in the south.

Substantial yield improvements in two new lupin varieties today launched at the Henty Machinery Field Days will be welcomed by growers in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

On-seed application of peat slurry has provided the best nodulation, grain yield and nitrogen fixation in experiments comparing different methods of inoculating legumes.

Pulse Australia has compiled fungicide use guides for the 2017 season. These guides provide a consolidated list of chemicals and approved usage patterns, for both on-label and permit.

The lupin anthracnose biosecurity zone (which encompasses the Local Government Areas of Cootamundra/Gundagai, Junee and Coolamon) has special conditions including restrictions on the growing and sale of certain lupins within the zone.

In the face of heightened fungal disease pressure in 2017 a number of new fungicide permits have been issued for the protection of chickpea, faba bean, lentil and field pea crops.

Agronomists who use their work vehicles, including quad bikes that are transported from farm to farm, to inspect paddocks need to make time to remove any soil or plant material that may risk spreading pests, diseases and weed seeds.