Australian Pulse Bulletin

Lupin fungicide guide: 2018 season

Lupins are affected by several foliar fungus diseases, Lupin anthracnose (LA), Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) and Botrytis grey mould (BGM). Others including Brown spot (Pleiochaeta setosa) and Phomopsis (Diaporthe toxica) are best managed by rotating paddocks to non-host crops, using resistant varieties or fungicide seed dressings.

Lupin anthracnose is a serious fungal disease that is found in several regions around Australia. Most recently southern NSW crops were found with the disease in 2016, but the disease has been endemic in WA, SA and Victoria since the mid 1990’s. Surveillance in 2017 across NSW showed no signs of the disease, and a further program of crop checks are planned for this season. If no further signs are seen after this program is completed, the restrictions imposed in 2016 will be lifted to allow Albus lupins to be grown across the region.
The five point plan developed by NSW DPI to eradicate the disease from NSW is still current.

Pulse Australia have Minor Use Permits from APVMA to help growers manage LA and SSR disease in lupin crops, and these are shown in the table below along with all the currently registered products.

Decisions need to be made such as when to start the spray program and how often to spray, depending on the varietal resistance, the prevailing weather conditions and the potential yield of the crop.

Fungal disease control is based on protection rather than curing. The first fungicide spray must be applied as early as necessary to minimise the establishment of the disease. Additional sprays are required if the weather conditions favour the disease.

Fungicides remain effective for approximately 10-14 days, but keep in mind that all new growth after spraying is unprotected.

The need for repeated fungicide sprays depends on the amount of unprotected growth, the amount of rainfall since spraying and the likelihood of a further extended wet period. Unprotected crops can drop leaves and lose over 50% in yield.

Seasonal Conditions in 2018

Seasonal conditions have varied widely across Australian cropping areas. After a very hot and dry summer in many regions and variable autumn break for sowing crops, conditions in many regions have become cold and dry, with frosty mornings. In Qld and Northern NSW drought conditions have prevailed with record low rainfall and virtually no winter crops sown. South Eastern NSW has had some reasonable rainfall, but below average, and crops are progressing slowly. In South West NSW though many crops are suffering moisture stress and are well below average. Victoria and South Australia also have had below average conditions but at least have had enough rainfall to get crops established reasonably well. Further rain will be needed in spring to finish these crops. In Western Australia the southern and eastern grain belts have had good conditions. These conditions have meant that diseases have not been favoured 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.

For more detailed information on disease management: 

• Lupin best management guide
• CropPro lupin disease manual
• Fungicide resistance in grain crops (including pulses)

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  Lupin anthracnose on flowers (NSW DPI).

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  Lupin anthracnose lesions on stem (NSW DPI).

Minor Use Permits for fungicide on lupins

• PER82209 Chlorothalonil / Albus lupin / Anthracnose / Current to 30-Nov-2021
• PER82240 Boscalid / Narrow-Leaf Lupins & Albus Lupins / Sclerotinia Stem Rot (White Mould) / Current to 30-Sep-2020
• PER82261 Iprodione / Narrow-Leaf Lupins & Albus Lupins / Sclerotinia Stem Rot (White Mould) / Current to 30-Sep-2020

Fungicides registered for disease control in lupins

Lupin Foliar Fungicide	Trade Name example	Anthracnose	Botrytis grey mould	Sclerotinia	WHP Harvest
Chlorothalonil	Bravo 500	Permit 2.0 L/ha	NR	NR	14 days
	Bravo 720	Permit 1.5 L/ha	NR	NR	14 days
	Mueso 900	Permit 1.1 L/ha	NR	NR	14 days
Mancozeb 750	Dithane DF	1.0–2.2 kg/ha	1.0–2.2 kg/ha	NR	28 days
Boscalid 500	Filan	NR	NR	Permit 0.4–1.0 kg/ha	21 days
Iprodione 500	Rovral	NR	NR	Permit 1.0–1.5 L/ha (WA only)	49 days
Iprodione 250	Titan	NR	NR	Permit 2.0–3.0 L/ha (WA only)	49 days

Many of the Minor Use Permits have short term expiry dates (e.g. 30/11/2017) 

NR = Not Registered 

Read the Label As with any chemical application, care should be taken to observe all the label conditions for each product. Some label advice is different for each state or region, so for best results, it is important that this is followed. Many of our pulse crops are exported for human consumption, so market access is dependent on having the product free of chemical residues. Australian has a reputation for providing clean and safe produce so it is vital that this is maintained by using chemicals according to regulations. All permits have label recommendations for use rate and withholding periods (WHP) that must be observed so grain will comply with Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) allowable for market access.

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Last updated: 24 August 2018