New tools for Australian carrot growers to against Powdery mildew

New research funded by the National Vegetable Levy reveals how growers can combat Powdery mildew in carrots.

An ongoing investigation into the causes and prevention methods of Powdery mildew in carrots has uncovered significant findings, showing that although the disease is hard to see it can be carried from one crop to another through the clothes of field workers or machinery.

"This new research is vital information for all carrot growers of Australia in helping to combat this infectious crop disease,” said AUSVEG (Australian Vegetable Growers Federation) Senior Communications Officer, Courtney Burger.

AUSVEG is the National Peak Industry Body for Australia’s 7,000 vegetable growers.

The seventh milestone for project VG08044 ‘Investigations and developing integrated management strategies for carrot powdery mildew’ was recently published in the latest edition of Vegenotes magazine.

"Being able to provide vegetable growers with practical information such as this demonstrates how crucial research and development (R&D) findings are by providing growers with the tools they need to improve their on-farm practices,” said Miss Burger.

The major findings showed that the disease can transfer from an infected crop to a healthy crop via field workers’ clothing or machinery and the disease can be controlled by using fungicide and minimised through the use of overhead irrigation compared to drip irrigation systems.

The research also shows that Powdery mildew of carrots is more prevalent in temperate conditions through spring and autumn, and that growers should actively choose a seed variety which has a high resistance to the disease such as the Stefano carrot variety.

"It is important for vegetable growers to access research such as this to enable them to gain a better understanding of the pests and diseases they are up against so they are equipped with the knowledge of how to prevent and cure potential incursions,” said Miss Burger.

The research was completed by Project Leader Andrew Watson from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), with the assistance of: Dr Hoong Pung of Peracto in Tasmania; Barbara Hall of the South Australian Research and Development Institute; and Dominic Cavallaro from Cardinal Horticultural Services.

Project VG08044 ‘Investigations and developing integrated management strategies for carrot powdery mildew’ was funded by Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) using the vegetable levy and matched funds from the Australian Government.