In September, Adam Jalaludin, the Queensland Grains Biosecurity Officer (Qld GBO), attended a two-day Root-lesion Nematode and Fungal Soilborne Disease Workshop at the University of Southern Queensland (Uni SQ). This event, organized by the Centre for Crop Health and funded by the Weis Community Fund, brought together researchers, agronomists, and stakeholders to discuss the latest research and management strategies in grain farming.
The workshop combined both theoretical insights and practical demonstrations, with a focus on managing critical soilborne diseases, such as root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) and crown rot (caused by Fusarium species), which are persistent challenges for Australian grain producers. The first day featured expert presentations on the latest research, including crop resistance and rotations, as well as soil health management aimed at mitigating the effects of root-lesion nematodes and crown rot in wheat and chickpea crops.
The practical component on the second day took participants to research trial sites at Wellcamp and Formartin on the Darling Downs, where they observed ongoing experiments. At the Wellcamp site, participants viewed trials on managing crown rot and common root rot in wheat, while the Formartin site focused on root-lesion nematodes, a key pest that contributes to yield losses by damaging plant roots, especially in the vertisol soils of the Darling Downs region.
The Qld GBO also highlighted broader biosecurity concerns for the grains industry, discussing exotic pest threats like the khapra beetle, Mediterranean cyst nematodes, and Verticillium wilt in chickpeas. In addition, Adam provided footbaths at both research sites to prevent the spread of biosecurity risks, reinforcing the importance of on-farm biosecurity practices.
This workshop aligns with the goals of the National Grains Farm Biosecurity Program (NGFBP), which has been in operation since 2007. The program, managed by Plant Health Australia (PHA) and funded by growers through Grain Producers Australia (GPA), aims to enhance biosecurity preparedness at the farm and industry levels by promoting best practices and biosecurity awareness across the grain supply chain.
Workshops like these are essential for keeping the grains industry resilient against both endemic and exotic threats. They provide a collaborative platform for agronomists, researchers, and stakeholders to exchange knowledge and improve biosecurity measures, which is critical for maintaining the productivity and sustainability of Australian agriculture.
Dr Cassy Percy of Centre for Crop Health, Uni SQ talking about her field trial on crown rot.