Next-gen pyrethrum project to address industry disease challenges (PY23002)

What is it all about?

This project is improving the management of spring diseases in pyrethrum crops by developing region-specific control strategies, ensuring sustainable profitability for growers, and maintaining a reliable supply for the Australian pyrethrum industry.

Challenge

The Australian pyrethrum industry faces significant challenges due to spring diseases caused by the pathogens Stagonosporopsis tanaceti (ST) and Didymella tanaceti (DT). These pathogens, unique to Australia, are not well understood in terms of their biology and epidemiology, making effective management difficult. Without proper control, these diseases can cause up to 95 per cent crop loss.

As pyrethrum is a minor crop, there is limited investment from chemical companies in developing specific control products, leaving growers with few options. Current disease management is maintained by a prophylactic fungicide program and there is currently no reliable method to assess disease pressure prior to fungicide application, resulting in potential increased production costs, threatened crop yield, and precarious profitability and supply predictability.

Response

To address these challenges, the project will improve disease management for the Australian pyrethrum industry by investigating new fungicide products and optimising application timings. It will develop methods to monitor pathogen resistance and gather new information on pathogen biology and risk factors.

The project will also explore alternatives to chemical control and establish thresholds for fungicide applications, allowing for more targeted and cost-effective disease management without compromising yield.

By implementing tailored control measures and monitoring strategies, the project seeks to optimise fungicide use, enhance disease control, reduce costs, and ensure the profitability and reliability of pyrethrum for growers.

Benefit

The project will provide significant benefits to the Australian pyrethrum industry by providing region-specific strategies for managing spring disease, improving crop reliability and profitability.

By developing tools to monitor disease risk and resistance, growers can make informed decisions, leading to more targeted and effective fungicide applications, reducing costs associated with unnecessary treatments.

Additionally, exploring non-chemical control options and enhancing understanding of pathogen biology will strengthen the industry's ability to manage spring diseases sustainably. Overall, these efforts will help maintain a stable and predictable supply of pyrethrum, ensuring long-term viability and competitiveness in the global market.

The extension of project outcomes to all Australian pyrethrum growers will enhance collaboration, improve disease management practices, and strengthen the industry’s resilience.