YOUR PRODUCTION
Farm biosecurity practices and tomato bacteria disease management Biosecurity — prevent or minimise the spread of pathogens on the farm.
f THE guttation fluid of infected plant leaf.
F
BY TRUYEN VO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA
arm biosecurity is a set of management practices used to minimise the introduction and prevent the spread of pathogens on the farm. Pathogens are organisms or agents such as but not limit to bacteria and viruses that cause plant disease.
22
WA Grower SPRING 2021
On the other hand, management of tomato bacteria diseases, such as bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris; bacterial speck, caused by Pseudomonas syringae; and bacterial canker, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis, also strongly focus on preventing the introduction and spread out of bacteria within and between the growing areas on a farm property. Although these on-farm measures of farm biosecurity practices play a pivotal role in maintaining Australia’s reputation of producing high quality products, farm biosecurity is often perceived as too complex to implement or unnecessary by industry. That may be because the introduction of farm biosecurity systems is often associated with high priority exotic pests, but it’s complimentary actions to reduce risks from both high priority exotic pests and a particular plant pest/disease that immediately concern growers has not been well translated.
This article will highlight transmission pathways that are defined for farm biosecurity practices, potential risks for infection and spread out of tomato bacterial diseases and suggested actions to reduce risks.
Complimentary actions to reduce risks There are six main transmission pathways through which harmful plant pests, diseases, and weeds enter farms. By increasing the awareness of these pathways to industry, growers can then identify the risks that are specific to their growing operations and prioritise actions for reducing the relevant risks. The six main transmission pathways are: 1 Planting materials 2 Waste and weeds 3 Staff and farm visitors
4 Vehicles and equipment 5 Packaging, bins and pallets; and 6 Wind.
