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YOUR INDUSTRY
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Meet VegNET 3.0:
BY MICHAEL BARTHOLOMEW REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA
f WILDEYE soil moisture and tensiometer installed at a grower’s property in Carabooda. We all know the agriculture paradigm; challenges are getting larger, threats are getting closer, work is getting harder, and margins are getting smaller. Applied to an industry like mining for example, this would be signalling impending doom, but not for agriculture.
f MAKING more informed decisions around irrigation scheduling.
Australian agriculture’s resilience in the face of these dynamic challenges has been proven since its beginning. Regional development and extension programs are nothing new, but with significance of a safe and reliable food supply being of unsurpassed importance in the face of population growth, climate change and economic competition; these programs need to deliver more impact for industry. that my work and others in my position can have a national impact — I cannot think of anything more fulfilling. On my desk right now are three projects. But over time these will grow, change, and adapt to the most important and pressing matters facing WA growers. Here is a little about each:
Sustainability
A fresh perspective
An all-encompassing project currently geared towards water and energy use optimisation and reduction but with the potential to expand to all aspects of sustainability across the triple bottom line. At the time of writing, soil moisture sensors and tensiometers have been deployed to numerous sites across WA’s growing regions to help gather data for making more informed decisions around irrigation scheduling. This aims to help reduce water wastage, pump run times and fertiliser loss. Preliminary research is also being conducted into exploring more energy efficient temperature regulation of protected cropping enterprises.
Plant protection and biosecurity management
Highlighting the synergy between proactive and reactive management comes the differences between pest and disease management and biosecurity. Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) and Fall Armyworm (FAW) have been recent biosecurity concerns in WA growing regions. Our initial findings indicate that more can be done to proactively prevent the incursion of new pests and disease, with too much of the balance of focus being applied to reactive management approaches once the damage is already done. We are working to arm growers with the means and resources to develop and integrate biosecurity plans into their production systems to minimise the risk surface to the industry as a whole.
A big step forward in the development of these crucial extension services comes VegNET 3.0 and its national team of Regional Development Officers (RDOs), a team of which I am pleased to be a part of. Holding a Bachelor of Agribusiness from Curtin University and having been exposed to An all-encompassing project currently geared towards water and energy use optimisation. diverse agricultural systems my entire life, I am looking forward to further developing and evolving my knowledge and sharing it with those around me. Based at vegetablesWA, I will be working closely with Truyen Vo to be brought up to speed with the extension projects and share in the enormous network he has spent so long building, so that I can hit the ground running and make an impact where it is needed most. Backed by a network of highly experienced individuals both locally and across the country; I am set to be spending long days applying my knowledge of local and global agricultural systems to delivering comprehensive and individualised support to the Western Australian horticulture industry. This is all in addition to sharing my findings with the network of RDOs around the country so
Communication
The triple bottom line (social impact, environmental impact and financial performance) of agriculture has such a dynamic impact on its functioning and can have enormous implications for business if not handled correctly.
The most valuable tool in managing these externalities is communication. Communication between growers, RDOs, industry, politicians, and society.
The complexity of these networks means that often the required information (such as emergency weather, market, and biosecurity updates) is not often passed on efficiently enough to reach their target in time. Strengthening these knowledge transfer pathways and building new ones forms the focus of this project.
MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Michael Bartholomew on 0427 373 037 or michael.bartholomew@
vegetableswa.com.au
VegNET 3.0 is a strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund. This project has been funded by Hort Innovation using the vegetable research and development levy and funds from the Australian Government. For more information on the fund and strategic levy investment visit horticulture.com.au
Production around the state
West Australian 2020-21 vegetable production.
We have gathered some data to further your understanding of the scale and location of the sold vegetable production from the different production regions across Western Australia during the Financial Year 2020–21.
300
250
MILLION TONNES
200
150
100
50
0
2019–20 2020–21
DOMESTIC WA EXPORT INTERSTATE
FIGURE 1. OVERVIEW OF THE STATES SOLD PRODUCTION.
2019–20
CARROTS
2020–21
0 20 40 60
80 MILLION TONNES
DOMESTIC WA EXPORT — INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL 100 120
FIGURE 2. COMPARISON OF VOLUME OF CARROT SOLD PRODUCTION FY2019–20 VS FY2020–21.
Onions
Tomatoes
Lettuce
Melons
Celery Cabbage Cauliflower
Broccoli
Capsicums Sweet corn
Pumpkin Zucchini
Cucumbers
Spinach Spring onions Baby leaf Leafy Brussels
Kale
Leeks
2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21
0 5 10
DOMESTIC WA EXPORT — INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL 15 MILLION TONNES
20 25 30 140
YOUR INDUSTRY
Production around the state
Carrots
PERTH METRO 52% MYALUP 17% CARNARVON 11% GINGIN 11% MANJIMUP 5% GERALDTON 3% ALBANY 1%
FIGURE 4. % BREAKDOWN BY REGION OF THE OVERALL DOMESTIC WA SUPPLY OF SOLD PRODUCTION.
FIGURE 5. % BREAKDOWN BY REGION OF THE OVERALL SUPPLY OF EXPORTED SOLD PRODUCTION, BOTH INTERSTATE AND INTERNATIONALLY.
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 MILLION TONNES
DOMESTIC WA EXPORT — INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL
FIGURE 7. VOLUME OF CARROT SOLD PRODUCTION FROM THE GINGIN REGION DURING FY2020–21.
GINGIN 81% MYALUP 11% PERTH METRO 7% CARNARVON 1% Gingin Perth Metro
Myalup Carnarvon
Manjimup Geraldton
Albany
2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21 2019–20 2020–21
- 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 MILLION TONNES
DOMESTIC WA EXPORT — INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL
FIGURE 8. COMPARISON OVERALL VOLUME SOLD PRODUCTION FROM EACH REGION FY2019–20 VS FY 2020–21.
12
10
MILLION TONNES
8
6
4
2
0
Lettuce Tomatoes Carrots Onions Cabbage Celery Cauliflower Broccoli
DOMESTIC WA EXPORT — INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL Sweet corn Spring onions Capsicums Zucchini Melons Brussels Baby leaf Spinach Kale Cucumbers Radish Leeks
6
5
MILLION TONNES
4
3
2
1
0
Lettuce Cabbage Onions Leafy Cauliflower Celery
DOMESTIC WA EXPORT — INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL Baby leaf Spinach
FIGURE 9. VOLUME OF SOLD PRODUCTION FROM THE GINGIN REGION ACROSS THE TOP 8 VEGETABLE LINES DURING FY2020–21.
3.0
2.5
MILLION TONNES
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0
Onions Pumpkin Carrots Broccoli TomatoesCauliflower Spinach Lettuce
DOMESTIC WA EXPORT — INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL
25
20
MILLION TONNES
15
10
5
0
Carrots Onions Melons Broccoli Pumpkin DOMESTIC WA EXPORT — INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL
FIGURE 10. VOLUME OF SOLD PRODUCTION FROM THE MYALUP REGION ACROSS THE TOP 5 VEGETABLE LINES DURING FY2020–21.
1.2
1.0
MILLION TONNES
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
CucumbersTomatoes Leeks Lebanese Melons Capsicums Eggfruit Sweet corn
DOMESTIC WA EXPORT — INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL
FIGURE 13. VOLUME OF SOLD PRODUCTION FROM THE GERALDTON REGION ACROSS THE TOP 8 VEGETABLE LINES DURING FY2020–21.
FIGURE 14. VOLUME OF SOLD PRODUCTION FROM THE ALBANY REGION ACROSS THE TOP 8 VEGETABLE LINES DURING FY2020–21.
MILLION TONNES
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Tomatoes Melons Capsicums Pumpkin Zucchini Eggfruit Chillies Sweet corn
DOMESTIC WA EXPORT — INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL
FIGURE 11. VOLUME OF SOLD PRODUCTION FROM THE CARNARVON REGION ACROSS THE TOP 8 VEGETABLE LINES DURING FY2020–21. FIGURE 12. VOLUME OF SOLD PRODUCTION FROM THE MANJIMUP REGION ACROSS THE TOP 8 VEGETABLE LINES DURING FY2020–21.
250,000
200,000
TONNES
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
Onions Carrots Capsicums Asparagus Broccoli Leeks Lettuce Cauliflower
DOMESTIC WA EXPORT — INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL
Protecting WA’s plant industries from the pantry!
BY LAURA FAGAN & ISABEL AREVALO-VIGNE DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is putting more resources into plant pest biosecurity, with stronger border controls and increasing its capability to respond to pest incursions.
Early warning and preparedness are also a priority. Enhanced prevention and surveillance deliver the best outcomes, and initiatives such as the Pantry Blitz are expanding Western Australia’s surveillance perimeter and the number of people looking.
DPIRD’s current Pantry Blitz campaign is providing an opportunity for the public and industry to complement DPIRD’s large number of targeted plant pest surveillance programs.
These programs act as vital early warning systems of any new incursions of pests not yet found in WA.
f THE Pantry Blitz campaign provides an opportunity to collect evidence that WA is free from devastating pests such as khapra beetle.
f THE most commonly found insects during 2021 were cigarette beetles (4446 found).
The Pantry Blitz is a four-week campaign that commenced on 18 March and will finish on 22 April. It has involved inviting the public to host insect traps inside their kitchen cupboards, and send in weekly photos using DPIRD’s MyPestGuide® Reporter app of their traps and any trapped insects, for identification by DPIRD experts. It is aimed at detecting any unwanted pests that may have made their way to WA and into the homes of ordinary people. It also Detecting any unwanted pests that may have made their way to WA. provides an opportunity to collect evidence that WA is free from devastating pests such as khapra beetle, which protects valuable export markets. This is the fourth Pantry Blitz to be undertaken by DPIRD, with previous campaigns being a great success. Last year there were nearly 1400 participants, located throughout WA ranging from Esperance to Kununurra, with the majority in Perth. Out of the thousands of photos sent in last year, none of them were exotic pests, providing reassurance to our plant industries and trading partners. The most commonly found insects were cigarette beetles (4446 found), booklice (1279 found), and Indian meal moth (679 found) — all commonly found in Australia and WA.
Pantry-stop
There is an increasing volume of freight, mail, travellers and vehicles crossing WA’s borders, and proactive surveillance initiatives such as the Pantry Blitz provide an opportunity to respond accordingly.
Invasive bugs, ants, snails, moths and bees are expert hitchhikers, stowing away in shipping containers, furniture, mail, and a whole range of imported goods. This includes electrical goods, vehicles and packaged food such as flour, cereal and rice. The pantry is the perfect place for a pest to set up home and live undetected, and therefore an ideal place to look for them. DPIRD biosecurity related ‘Blitzes’ are a great way to increase awareness of the need for all Western Australians to make looking and reporting pests, and using our reporting tools such as the MyPestGuide® Reporter app, a part of everyday life that should continue far longer than four weeks of pantry watching. Pests don’t just turn up on farms — in fact the goal is to find them before they get there. “The WA Government is committed to reducing the risk of exotic pest incursions, with an investment of $15.1 million last year to enhance the pest surveillance, preparedness and response work being undertaken by DPIRD. “This work can be further enhanced by building great partnerships with all of our stakeholders, including industry and the community, because the best kind of biosecurity system is based on a shared responsibility for the protection of WA. “I often refer to plant biosecurity as the Swiss cheese model of risk — if there are holes in slices of cheese, things can get through, but the more layers of defence there are, then the less likely it is for something to get through. “No single layer of cheese, or defence, is going to be effective on its own, so there needs to be multiple layers. Everyone has a part to play in contributing to these layers of defence. “The earlier we detect a pest or disease, the faster the response, the better chance we have to eradicate it, and the greater the long-term benefits to the entire community,” DPIRD Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer Dr Sonya Broughton.
DPIRD surveillance programs
A WA Government investment of $15.1 million will help expand the current pest surveillance, preparedness and response work being undertaken by DPIRD, as well as provide opportunities to introduce new initiatives.
Current surveillance programs include a Queensland fruit fly trapping grid across the metropolitan area (about 1900 traps), sentinel traps placed within grains facilities at high-risk sites, a European wasp adopt-a-trap surveillance program, and a seasonal trapping and surveillance program in the south-east of the state for starlings. There are also a range of trapping programs at high-risk sites such as ports for the notorious hitchhiking pests brown marmorated stink bug and invasive ants, and DPIRD participates in the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program, involving sentinel hives placed at strategic locations throughout WA. These programs are essential to protecting our primary industries and the jobs and economic growth they provide, and also our pristine environments, our homes and enjoyment of the great outdoors.
Serious pests such as khapra beetle could destroy our grains industry, red imported fire ants and European wasps could ruin our outdoor lifestyle, and diseases such as myrtle rust could destroy our precious bushland. Ongoing surveillance, by everyone, is essential to protecting everything we love.
MORE INFORMATION
Contact Laura Fagan on 0449 979 078, laura.fagan@dpird.wa.gov.au, or go to
agric.wa.gov.au/pantry-blitz
Report your observations!
MyPestGuide® Reporter via online or app mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au
Pest and Disease Information Service (08) 9368 3080 padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
As is our engagement with and representation of industry.
The Melons Australia team
is growing!
If you don’t already know about us, Melons Australia is the peak industry body for the melon industry in Australia. Looking at the previous year in review, we underwent significant reform to strengthen our industries representation, engagement, and market offering. This included appointing our first full-time Executive Officer — Johnathon Davey.
BY COURTNEY ARCHER COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, MELONS AUSTRALIA 2021 also saw us work through the development and implementation of our new 2021–26 Strategic Plan, this was designed to support the industry — working together to build a successful future for the Australian Melon industry. The 4 key strategic focus areas of the strategy are: So, what’s on for 2022? With Johnathon Davey continuing to lead the team as Executive Officer and industry advocate, Melons Australia has also appointed Communications Officer, Courtney Archer. Courtney will be working to develop and execute the Melons communications • Organisational development strategy. Joanna Embry will continue (including leadership and resources her work as Biosecurity Officer with for Melons Australia) the focus for 2022 an extension and • Grower/industry engagement and outreach program. support Working with Hort Innovation, we have • Melon marketing and promotion developed a regional roadshow and (domestic and export) conference program that will span over • Industry production development the coming years. (profitability, sustainability, biosecurity, R&D).
f PROTECTING our farms from exotic pests and diseases.
Our roadshow program will see the Melons Australia team, strategic partners, research providers and other interested parties in your region at some stage in 2022. From a biosecurity standpoint, Melons Australia will be implementing a national biosecurity extension project which aims to improve farm biosecurity practices, including crop hygiene and surveillance for exotic pests and diseases. The fundamental objectives of this project are to: 1 Assist growers to improve general biosecurity practices 2 Develop and provide a toolkit including the resources required to improve farm hygiene, biosecurity, and monitoring practices e.g.,
Footbaths, information on permitted disinfecting chemicals, visitor registers etc.
3 Educate growers on conducting their own surveillance for high priority pests 4 Assist growers with installing specific improved biosecurity hygiene including signage/visitor registers/ apps to trace visitors etc. Our biosecurity officer will be conducting grower visits and organising regional workshops in all Western Australian growing 2022 will see a complete reform of our industry communications. regions throughout 2022. For more information on these workshops make sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram pages and visit our website where we will include regular updates. 2022 will also see a complete reform of our industry communications through the development of an extensive communications strategy, working to improve industry engagement and strengthen industry resilience and connectedness. Our strategy will work to improve our current digital platforms, and the way we deliver industry resources and training, working to promote effective two-way communications.
Over the coming months, we will be launching a new digital member platform for industry communications. This new digital portal will hold secure information and resources, a ‘Community of Practice’ facilitating regular discussion forums, including podcasts and other useful resources. The platform will also include an ‘Ask the Expert’ feature, connecting growers with participating researchers, reforming and innovating the way we communicate with industry and allowing growers across the nation to easily communicate with each other.
We welcome all input or feedback from Western Australian growers into the Melons Australia work program.
MORE INFORMATION
Contact Johnathon on 0407 032 023 or at execofficer@melonsaustralia.org.au or go to melonsaustralia.org.au.
Liriomyza flies in-focus:
Have you seen an exotic leafminer?
f YIELD losses vary but leaf damage can reduce photosynthetic activity, causing premature leaf drop.
f SLM stippling damage caused by adult feeding and egg laying.
BY ZALI MAHONY BIOSECURITY OFFICER, AUSVEG
Exotic leafminers have been the centre of our attention recently — and with good reason. There are three Liriomyza leafminer species that are now present in Australia: Vegetable leafminer, serpentine leafminer and most recently, American serpentine leafminer. AUSVEG Biosecurity Officer Zali Mahony reports.
Leafminers are small flies that belong to the family Agromyzidae, and concerningly, each species has a wide host range including many vegetable, ornamental and legume crops. Yield losses vary but leaf damage can reduce photosynthetic activity, causing premature leaf drop. These pests are a major threat to Australia’s vegetable industry.
Current situation in Australia
There are three exotic Liriomyza leafminers now present in Australia — vegetable leafminer (VLM; Liriomyza sativae), serpentine leafminer (SLM; Liriomyza huidobrensis) and the most recently detected American serpentine leafminer (ASLM; Liriomyza trifolii). Area of Cape York (QLD). There has been a single detection in Broome (WA).
Containment versus management strategy
All three species are considered National Priority Plant Pests. With each pest detection, the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests VLM was first detected in 2008 (CCEPP) — Australia’s key technical in the Torres Strait Islands body for coordinating national and in 2015 at the tip of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. No further detections have been made. Leafminers are small flies that belong to the family Agromyzidae. responses to emergency plant pest incursions — is responsible for determining whether a pest is technically feasible to eradicate. Following their detection, the SLM was first detected in CCEPP determined that VLM western Sydney, New South and ASLM are not technically Wales in October 2020 and a month feasible to eradicate largely due to later in Queensland’s Fassifern Valley. the pest’s biology, current distribution The pest is now considered established and wide host range. in both states. A containment strategy is in place for Most recently, ASLM was detected in ASLM due to its current distribution July 2021 in the Torres Strait Islands limited to some locations in northern and across northern Western Australia Australia. Movement restrictions from (see Figure 1). There have since been the far northern biosecurity zones are further detections in Kununurra (WA), in place and have been successful in Darwin and Katherine in the Northern previously preventing further spread of Territory, and the Northern Peninsula VLM. For ASLM, delimiting surveillance
SLM was first detected in western Sydney, New South Wales.
Darwin, NT
Kununurra, WA Broome, WA Katherine, NT Seisia, QLD Northern Area of Cape York Peninsula, QLD
VEGETABLE LEAFMINER SERPENTINE LEAFMINER AMERICAN SERPENTINE LEAFMINER Fassifern Valley, QLD
Western Sydney, NSW
FIGURE 1. MAP OF INITIAL DETECTIONS FOR VLM, SLM, ASLM. COLOUR DENOTES THE INITIAL DETECTIONS OF EACH LIRIOMYZA SPECIES.
Source: AUSVEG, NSW Department of Primary Industries, and National pest & disease outbreaks.
is still being conducted to determine any potential further distribution of this pest. SLM was also determined not technically feasible to eradicate due to the extent of the pest’s infestation across NSW and QLD, its biology and wide host range. As a containment strategy was not feasible, a transition to management by industry began in late 2020.
Lifecycle and damage
The lifecycle for Liriomyza leafminers is generally consistent across species. Adults feed on leaves and females lay eggs just below the leaf surface of host plants. This causes ‘stippling’ damage that can be visible in some instances and can cause a high risk of fungal and bacterial infection for the plant. Eggs hatch between 2–5 days after being laid. Eggs are too small to be seen by the naked eye, so a seemingly healthy plant may be harbouring the pest without us knowing. Inside the leaf tissue, larvae begin to feed within the leaf creating tunnels or mines that become larger as the larvae matures. These leaf mines can reduce photosynthetic activity, causing premature leaf drop. Larvae then exit the leaf to transition to adults (pupate) externally to the leaf, usually in soil below the plant from which adults emerge 7–14 days later.
Other species of Liriomyza leafminers can transition to adults within the leaf tissue, but this is not the case for VLM, SLM or ASLM.
The duration of Liriomyza spp. lifecycles does vary with temperature. Favourable environmental conditions can reduce the time it takes for an entire lifecycle, meaning several generations can occur in one season. In unfavourable environmental conditions, the cycle takes longer.
Identification
Adult Liriomyza species of leafminers are difficult to identify in the field, and molecular diagnostic tests are necessary to confirm species. Exotic species also look similar to native leafminers that are prevalent in Australia (e.g., Liriomyza brassicae) (see Figure 2).
f MAJOR risk pathways of leafminers is by the importation of infested ornamental host plants and cut flowers.
Stippling and leaf mine damage do not differ between Liriomyza species, so cannot be used to separate species. Stippling and leaf mines are the key indicator to look for when monitoring crops and surrounding vegetation. Many important vegetable production regions in Australia have the climatic conditions suited to Liriomyza spp. establishment.
Climate models and existing pest knowledge have been used to determine the pest’s risk of establishment in regions across Australia. A predictive model based on temperature, moisture constraints and predicted dominant stressors (cold, heat, desiccation) was created by Cesar Australia as part of a levy funded project, MT16004, which developed a contingency plan for each pest (see further reading section). VLM and ASLM are suited to similar climatic conditions and are predicted to likely establish along the northern, eastern, southern and southwestern coastline of Australia and Tasmania (see Figure 3a and Figure 3c). Both are heat tolerant species, meaning they will thrive in tropical conditions.
Risk of spread and establishment
Major risk pathways of leafminers into and across Australia is by the importation of infested ornamental host plants and cut flowers.
Leafy vegetables and seedlings can move leafminers across Australia. Natural pathways (such as wind) or human-assisted entry can also occur at the borders (e.g., on plant material illegally imported). Globally, Liriomyza leafminer dispersal and establishment has rapidly occurred, with populations found on most continents now.
However, they are not only tropical pests and are also suited to temperate regions. VLM and ASLM are not as suited to cool-climate regions as other species, but they are still predicted to be able to maintain populations year-round across Australia. ASLM has been reported to have delays in development (diapause) at low temperatures, which will allow them to survive cold conditions, until warmer weather arrives.
Comparatively, SLM adults are reported to be more resilient and able to survive winter temperatures (as low as -11.5ºC), with pupae able to survive and transition to adults in temperatures between 5.7ºC to 30ºC.
SLM is most likely to establish along the eastern, southern and south-western coastline of Australia and Tasmania (see Figure 3b).
FIGURE 3. THE AGGREGATED YEARLY ESTABLISHMENT POTENTIAL OF (A) VLM, (B) SLM AND (C) ASLM AS THE NUMBER OF MONTHS ACROSS THE YEAR WITH INCREASING POPULATION SIZES BASED ON TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE CONSTRAINTS.
Pest management Chemical control options
International management of Liriomyza leafminers includes the use of natural enemies such as parasitoid wasps that attack larvae. Research has indicated that exotic Liriomyza leafminers are rapidly targeted by Agromyzid parasitoids, and many are reported to affect these pests overseas. This is promising for future management as these parasitoids tend not to be host-specific, and Australia has several native species that are likely to affect these leafminer pests. There is also initial evidence of the presence of native predators in the Australian environment.
Liriomyza leafminers can rapidly develop resistance to various chemical groups — particularly organophosphates, carbamates, diamides and pyrethroids — which can make control difficult. Application of broad-spectrum insecticides often results in larger leafminer populations as Liriomyza leafminers can rapidly develop resistance to various chemical groups. these insecticides reduce the reservoir of natural enemies (parasitoid wasps as well as other generalist predators like spiders), which keep leafminer populations in check. Translaminar and systemic chemical options support the management of leafminers as they are not harmful to the natural enemies. Several insecticides are used overseas for the control of exotic leafminers, including — but not limited to — abamectin, azadirachtin, chlorantraniliprole, cyromyzine, indoxacarb, spinetoram and spinosad.
Pest management practices should be mindful of preserving natural enemies and consider the use of pesticides that don’t harm these beneficial insects.
There are several minor use permits currently available for Liriomyza leafminers for the vegetable and potato industry. For more information, please visit horticulture.com.au/growers/ serpentine-leafminer-update
FURTHER READING
• Management of leafmining flies in vegetable and nursery crops in Australia:
bit.ly/2X1vkps
• Monitoring for serpentine leafminer in
Australia: bit.ly/3D21UqC • AUSVEG biosecurity alerts: bit.ly/3hjOjTo • Plant Health Australia — Liriomyza spp. fact sheets, diagnostic protocols and contingency plans: — Vegetable leafminer: bit.ly/3tuLDau — Serpentine leafminer: bit.ly/2X59Rfj — American serpentine leafminer:
bit.ly/38P6gEE
Please contact the AUSVEG Extension & Engagement Team on (03) 9882 0277 or email science@ausveg.com.au.
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f DPIRD is undertaking a comprehensive surveillance program.
Polyphagous shot-hole borer a perfect invader
BY DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is responding to the confirmed detection of an exotic beetle, the Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) in the Perth metropolitan area.
PSHB (Euwallacea fornicatus) is a member of a group of beetles known as ambrosia beetles that live in symbiosis with a fungus (Fusarium sp.). The beetle excavates tunnels in stressed and healthy trees in which they cultivate the fungus as a food source. The fungus spreads inside the tunnels and disrupts the plant vascular system and the flow of water and nutrients.
The establishment of this pest in WA may have a significant impact on urban trees, native trees and some industries. As this is the first detection in Australia, the full impact of this pest will not be known for some time.
Detection
PSHB was first reported in Western Australia on 6 August 2021 via DPIRD’s MyPestGuide® Reporter app. A member of the public reported symptoms on two 30-year-old box elder maple trees (Acer negundo) in East Fremantle.
Hosts
PSHB has a known host range of more than 400 plant species. High priority hosts include: • Maple (Acer) • Fig (Ficus) • Robinia • Poinciana (Delonix regia) • Oak (Quercus) • Plane (Platanus) • Coral (Erythrina) • Avocado (Persea) • Willow (Salix) • Castor oil (Ricinus)
f BEETLE entry/exit holes are approximately the size of a ballpoint pen tip.
DPIRD is currently determining the local reproductive host range as PSHB may behave differently in WA.
What to look for
• Detection of PSHB is difficult as they are very small — about the size of a sesame seed. • Female PSHB are approximately 2mm in length and range from brown to black in colour. • Only females have the ability to fly and disperse to other trees. • Males are smaller at approximately 1.6mm in length and have no wings.
Because the beetle is so small, the symptoms of PSHB damage are usually noticed before the beetle.
Symptoms vary from species to species but may include the following: • Galleries — when pruning branches or inspecting fallen branches, check for evidence of galleries caused by the tunnelling action of
PSHB beetles.
• Beetle entry/exit holes — approximately the size of a ballpoint pen tip. • Discoloration/staining — this is caused by the Fusarium fungus. • Gumming — thick resin or sap. • Frass — produced by the beetles tunnelling, frass or ‘noodles’ may be seen on the tree exterior. This can indicate a high level of infestation. • Sugar volcanoes — a common sign of infection on Avocado trees, where crystalline foam is exuded from entry/exit holes. • Dieback and tree death — the fungus disrupts the tree vascular symptom causing dieback and death. Symptoms are not always obvious. Look for early signs of dieback and inspect trees closely for evidence of small bore holes — about the size of a ballpoint pen tip. There are often large numbers of holes in a shotgun pattern.
DPIRD’s response
A Quarantine Area (QA) was established to support DPIRD’s ongoing surveillance program to determine the spread of the pest. Restrictions have been placed on the movement of green waste and plant material outside of the QA.
The QA covers 17 local government areas: Cambridge, Canning, Claremont, Cockburn, Cottesloe, East Fremantle, Fremantle, Melville, Mosman Park, Nedlands, Peppermint Grove, Perth, South Perth, Stirling, Subiaco, Victoria Park and Vincent.
DPIRD has been undertaking a comprehensive surveillance program, with the removal of trees now necessary as part of the current response, to keep beetle populations down while next steps are being considered. The department is working closely with local councils and residents to facilitate the removal of infested trees.
Department Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer Dr Sonya Broughton said the borer could severely damage host trees, with some Check for evidence of galleries caused by the tunnelling action of PSHBbeetles. species dying within two years of infestation. “The box elder maple tree (Acer negundo) has been identified as the main host for the shot-hole borer,” Dr Broughton said. “Any box elder maple trees infested with the borer will need to be removed, along with any other box elder maples within a 35m radius of an infested tree which is showing signs of damage.
f PSHB can severely damage host trees.
f PSHB cultivate fungus as a food source.
f SUSPECT borer damage can be reported via the MyPestGuide® Reporter app.
“Other species of trees will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Some trees may only require the infested branches to be pruned, while others may need to be removed.
Impact on industry
“We will advise residents and local councils directly if a tree or trees need to be removed and/ or pruned and work with them on the process.” Dr Broughton said trees damaged by PSHB could quickly become safety hazards and a constant source of beetles that could disperse to neighbouring trees. “Early detection and the prompt removal or pruning of infested trees is key to containing PSHB spread and minimising further impact on neighbouring trees,” Dr Broughton said.
If the borer spreads beyond urban amenity trees, it has the potential to impact the nursery, fruit and nut tree industries. Potential impact on the forestry industry is currently unknown.
Report suspect borer damage and box elder maples
Early detection and the prompt removal or pruning of infested treesis key. Susceptible trees and shrubs should be inspected and monitored for PSHB damage. A favourite hiding place for this pest is box elder maple trees. Report any suspect PSHB infestation to DPIRD. Current surveillance activities include locating and monitoring these sentinel trees to prevent the spread of the borer. DPIRD encourages everyone to also report the location of box elder maples anywhere in WA, especially in the regions — even if they are healthy.
MORE INFORMATION
For the latest information and developments regarding PSHB please visit
agric.wa.gov.au/borer
Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development
Report your observations!
MyPestGuide® Reporter via online or app mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au
Pest and Disease Information Service (08) 9368 3080 padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
f THE Australian truffle industry is the fourth largest producer of truffles in the world, after Spain, France, and Italy.
f THE project will research slug and slater management alternatives, which are the most abundant pests and truffle orchard floors.
BY ALISON MATHEWS AND RACHELLE JOHNSTONE DPIRD
Sustainable weed and pest management alternatives for truffle orchard floors are the focus of a two-year research project being undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
The Australian truffle industry is more than 20 years old and is the fourth largest producer of truffles in the world, after the traditional truffle growing countries of Spain, France, and Italy. The industry is export focused, with approximately 80% of production exported to markets including North America, Europe, the UK, and Asia.
In 2019, Australia exported eight tonnes of truffles and production is predicted to increase to more than 20 tonnes by 2025.
Weeds and pests pose a serious risk to truffle production. Weeds compete with the truffle host tree, the establishment of the mycorrhizae, and truffle development, and slugs and slaters are an abundant and widespread orchard floor dwelling pest of truffles.
However, commonly used herbicides are coming under increased scrutiny by farmers, scientists, and consumers, and the efficacy and impacts of softer alternatives on truffle mycorrhizae and production still need to be evaluated. In spring this year DPIRD commenced trials of sustainable alternatives, including a flame weeder, pine oil and acid-based herbicides. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of these management techniques on weeds, as well as the impact on truffle mycorrhiza health and abundance, and soil biome. The project will also assess the impact of these weed treatments on slugs and slaters. Other pest management options will also be looked at, including creating a pest-free habitat on the orchard floor (through weed management and leaf litter removal) and mass trapping, and whether they are cost-effective.
Truffle growers are encouraged to keep an eye out for updates on the project throughout the twoyear project, through field days, workshops, and a newsletter. The Integrated Pest and Disease Manual will be updated with project outcomes and made available to growers. These will include orchard floor Sustainable practices will be required to maintain high valuemarkets. management options, with a focus on weed, slug and slater control. The knowledge gained through this project may also be useful for other horticultural industries interested in sustainable weed and pest management alternatives. With increasing consumer awareness of the environmental impacts of food production, the use and demonstration of sustainable practices will be required to maintain high value markets.
MORE INFORMATION
This project is supported by DPIRD, in collaboration with the Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre and the Australian National University, through funding from AgriFutures Australia as part of its AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program and DPIRD with contributions from Truffle Producers Western Australia Inc.
Rachelle Johnstone, (08) 9780 6158, rachelle.johnstone@dpird.wa.gov.au. Alison Mathews, (08) 9777 0122, alison.mathews@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development
Red dwarf Rapid response to honey bee detection
f THE recent Perth detection of a Red dwarf honey bee swarm on the outside of a shipping container highlights the need to always be on the lookout for pests in imported goods.
BY DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
f RED dwarf honey bee (L) is smaller than the European honey bee (R) — less than 1cm long.
Acollaborative effort between the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and a broad range of stakeholders ensured a rapid response and containment of a recent detection of the exotic Red dwarf honey bee (Apis florea), in the Perth suburb of Forrestfield.
Native to Asia, the Red dwarf honey bee is a vector of bee diseases, parasites and viruses. They also pose a risk to European honey bees and native bees as they compete for resources.
A single swarm of the exotic bees was found on an imported sea container transferred to Forrestfield, and reported to DPIRD by the container owner.
The response was immediate, involving collaboration with the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE), Western Australian and interstate scientists, Fremantle Ports, freight stakeholders, the bee industry and members of the community. Surveillance activities have not detected any further exotic bees other than the original single exotic bee swarm.
Response activities
• The swarm was quickly contained and destroyed on the same day it was reported. • Samples returned to the DPIRD’s
Diagnostics and Laboratory Services (DDLS) labs undertook molecular testing to confirm the bee species. • A single Euvarroa mite was detected on one of the bees. The mite
reproduces on the drone brood of
Red dwarf honey bees and is not known to naturally parasitise our
European honey bee.
• Targeted surveillance was conducted along the rail transport route between Fremantle and Forrestfield. • Surveillance included the deployment and observation of feed stations, floral sweeps, inspection of local catch boxes and local sentinel hives that are already deployed as part of the National Bee Pest
Surveillance Program. • DAWE located and inspected all containers from the consignment and additional containers that were in close proximity to the detection. • Surveillance was undertaken at
Fremantle Port. • Beekeepers were asked to inspect hives regularly. Unusual bee or hive observations should be reported immediately to DPIRD’s Pest and Disease Information Service on (08) 9368 3080 or padis@dpird.wa.gov.au, or using the MyPestGuide® Reporter app or online form (mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au).
What to look for
• The Red dwarf honey bee is easily distinguished by their small size in comparison to the European honey bee, being just 7–10 millimetres in length. • They have a red/brown abdomen with black and white bands. • They are characterised by their external nesting habits. • Their nest is made up of an exposed single horizontal comb less than 25 centimetres wide that is built around and attached to tree branches or other support.
MORE INFORMATION
Contact the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on (08) 9368 3080 or padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
Chemical Residue Testing requirements
to meet Freshcare Standards and your customer requirements
BY JOEL DINSDALE QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATOR, VEGETABLESWA
For most growers that have a food safety system in place on farm, chemical residue testing will be part of their systems’ best practice requirements.
Chemical residue testing requirements will differ slightly per grower, as it can be dependent on the crops you grow, the customers you supply, and whether your produce is for the domestic or export market. Let us take a closer look at the Freshcare Food Safety and Quality Edition 4.2 (FSQ4.2) Standard, and the requirements for chemical residue testing, as an example of what testing you need to complete for your Freshcare food safety system.
Why do I need to test my produce?
The rationale behind MRL/ERL testing is to verify that our farming activities are not knowingly contaminating the desired product(s) and all chemicals used are being applied according to current label or permit directions. The MRLs for fresh produce are established and documented in the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Food Standards Code (Section 1.4.2 Agvet chemicals and associated Schedules — Schedule 20 and 21). The Food Standards Code is available on the FSANZ website.
At this point, it is probably a good time to review the glossary of terms — to make sure that we are clear on the definitions in the context of Freshcare FSQ4.2 before I define and resolve the issue in this article (see Table 1).
What testing do I undertake and what records do I need to keep for audit?
Freshcare prescribes that any testing completed must be an analysis of a random sample (that has had all treatments applied and is ready for consumption). All analysis should be conducted by a NATA accredited laboratory (or accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 Standard). “The chemical residue test required by Freshcare must be a multiscreen test that includes chemicals used as part How and when do I need of your spray program and, where applicable, postharvest chemical treatments.” (Freshcare FSQ4.2 Factsheet F4 — Chemicals, 2021). to test? Chemical residue testing should be undertaken at least annually or as required by your customers. When you It should be noted that are a grower of multiple heavy metal and other chemical testing may also be required to address persistent commodities, you are required to do multiple tests to successfully gain FSQ4.2 certification Perhaps this is the part that is currently catching chemicals and heavy metals — growers by surprise, meaning that nonrelating to ERLs — see definitions. conformances from the Standard are All Organic producers are also required being formally raised by auditors. to meet the Freshcare MRL testing Here’s what the Freshcare FSQ4.2 F4 requirements. Chemicals Factsheet states: The Maximum Residues Limit (MRL) for registered crop protection chemicals is established by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) in Australia. Growers can check state government requirements for on-farm legal use of chemicals, as there may be differences between state “There should be more than one product tested, where there are significant differences in crop groupings managed, and/or chemical application/treatment programs. To ensure appropriate control of risk, a business must assess whether further testing is required. If required, product testing is to be completed.” regulations. See the APVMA’s PubCRIS database for details.
TABLE 1. GLOSSARY OF THE RELEVANT TERMS FOUND IN THE FRESHCARE FSQ ON-FARM STANDARD 4.2.
Term Freshcare FSQ4.2 Definition
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) Australian Government authority responsible for the assessment and registration of agricultural and veterinary chemical products.
Chemical Products such as insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, fungicides, growth regulators, pheromones and other organic treatments used to control pest, disease, weeds, and growth, applied on or around the property, production areas and on harvested produce. • It includes post-harvest chemicals used on-product such as fruit waxes, sanitisers, and fungicides. • It also includes cleaning agents and sanitisers and grease, oils and lubricants used for maintenance. Competent laboratory A laboratory with NATA accreditation, or accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, for the required scope of testing. Or a laboratory run by a local, state, or federal government authority or university, that follows Australian Standard methods for the required scope of testing. Extraneous Residue Limit (ERL) The maximum permitted limit of a pesticide residue, arising from environmental sources other than the use of a pesticide directly or indirectly on the food, expressed in milligrams of the chemical per kilogram of the food (mg/kg).
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
A government agency responsible for developing and administering the ‘Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.’ Maximum Level (ML) The maximum level of a specified contaminant, or specified natural toxicant, which is permitted to be present in a nominated food expressed, unless otherwise specified, in milligrams of the contaminant or the natural toxicant per kilogram of the food (mg/kg). Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) This is the legal limit for a specific residue in food. MRLs are set at levels that are unlikely to be exceeded if chemicals are used according to label instructions.
Persistent chemicals
Organochlorine pesticides and other chemical residues in the soil that may cause unacceptable residues in produce. Verification A set of procedures, processes and tests designed to ensure the food safety system is working effectively. Withholding Period (WHP) The required time-period that must elapse between the crop treatment and harvest.
f IF you are growing multiple different varieties/ cultivars within a category i.e., Tomato Roma and Tomato Cherry, you would only need to test one in the tomato category.
This is where the Freshcare Crop List comes in handy as we need to identify different crop groupings to meet the Standard 4.2 requirements. • If you are growing vegetables such as tomato, pumpkin, and cabbage — given that they are all grown and treated differently, you will need to test one of each commodity, so this is where it pays to reference the crop list. If you are growing multiple different varieties/cultivars within a category i.e., Tomato Roma and
Tomato Cherry, you would only need to test one in the tomato category. • For stone fruit growers (e.g., peach, plum, nectarine, apricot etc.) you would only need to test one line within the category to meet the requirements as the trees are treated similarly as a general rule of thumb. • For citrus growers (e.g., orange, lemon, lime, mandarin etc.) as with stone fruit, you would only need to test one line within the category • For berry growers (e.g., strawberry, raspberry, blueberry etc.) it gets a bit more complicated, as an example:
Blueberries are grown on a bush whereby the fruit does not contact the ground, whereas strawberry fruit tends* to contact the ground/plastic they are grown upon so the risks of ERLs differ. They are also grown/treated differently and have crop specific products registered for use by the APVMA. Therefore, a grower producing both blueberry and strawberry should get both tested to meet the requirements of
Freshcare FSQ4.2.
* Variations apply — seek Freshcare for specific advice.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, CONTACT FRESHCARE’S NETWORK FOR SUPPORT!
MORE INFORMATION
For more information and/or further support with Freshcare or quality assurance, please contact Joel Dinsdale (joel.dinsdale@vegetableswa.com.au).
Take the guess work out of it! Get advice from Freshcare or a Freshcare Trainer before you proceed. Mistakes can come with a financial impact. One final note for consideration. For HARPS (Version 1.2), all commodities listed on the HARPS scope, require annual MRL, Heavy Metal and Microbial analysis to be conducted (or as per the customer requirements). That means that if you are a grower operating Freshcare FSQ4.2 + HARPS, you should be testing all your products listed on scope, regardless of which crop category they are in. If all of this, has you a bit unsure, please reach out and seek clarification from Freshcare or a Freshcare Trainer.
