Biosecurity

 

Exotic diseases and pests represent a significant threat to the continued security of cane supply for the Australian sugarcane industry. Cooperating with federal and state government departments to prevent entry of these pests and to prepare for possible incursions is a high priority for this program. Working with the Variety Improvement Program to breed disease and pest resistant varieties and conducting quarantine and disease-free seedcane programs to prevent the spread of pests and diseases within Australia are also high priorities.

 

The BSES Biosecurity program focuses on:

  Preparing for possible incursions of exotic pests and diseases.

  Varieties imported from overseas each year and released after ensuring freedom from exotic pests and diseases.

  Clones exchanged among regions within Australia each year wityhout spreading pests and diseases.

  High-yielding smut-resistant varieties available for all major soil types.

 

Significant biosecurity trial work has been undertaken in Papua New Guinea of the serious disease, Downy mildew, not found in Australia. Research is underway to develop diagnostic assays for Down mildew in preparedness should this disease cross our shores. Being pro-active is paramount to any possible biosecurity threats.

Downy mildew symptoms on the leaves of affected cane plants typically include white stripes that turn brick-red with age. On warm humid nights, the fungus produces spores on the back of infected leaves, resulting in a soft, white ‘down’ (giving the disease its name). Other symptoms include severe stunting of the crop (grassy growth habit with 100 per cent crop loss in susceptible varieties), unusually long individual stalks (referred to as ‘jump-ups’) and failed ratoons.

 

Above: Fulmekiola serrata.		Above: Dorysthenes buqueti larval stage.