Summary

The project will be based in NSW and Victoria with activities extending to all major production regions for Asian vegetables across Australia. Targeted surveillance and diagnostics will be used to identify and validate the key diseases and pests in the different crops and production regions. Ongoing monitoring of crops will determine the relative occurrence, phenology and impact of diseases and pests on yield and quality. The international literature will be reviewed to establish current status and progress in developing integrated pest management in Asian vegetables worldwide.
Crop scouting methods (eg sampling protocols) and monitoring methods will be refined, evaluated and correlated with damage levels. Field trials will be used to evaluate and demonstrate a range of improved management strategies. Trials will include: efficacy testing of biorational chemicals (products that have a minimal impact on beneficial insects and mites); applications of microbial biocontrols and beneficial insects and mites; various changes to cultural practices; and cultivar evaluation for resistance/tolerance to pests and diseases.

Grower training workshops will be delivered to improve skills in pest and disease recognition and IPM.

Program

New and Emerging Plant Industries

Research Organisation

New South Wales Department of Industry and Investment for and on behalf of the State of NSW – Inactive

Objective Summary

Identify the important diseases and pests causing losses of Asian vegetables in the major production regions across Australia – Develop and evaluate effective disease and pest scouting/monitoring and integrated management strategies with growers that range from traditional market garden broad acre and high value intensive production. – Facilitate adoption of sustainable disease and pest management strategies for Non English speaking Background (NESB) growers in NSW and Victoria (with extension activities linking to other states and territories).