Cereal disease related diagnostic activities across NSW during the 2022 cropping season

Abstract

Key findings • Favourable climatic conditions in 2022 increased the prevalence of a range of cereal diseases across NSW, in particular: fusarium head blight (FHB), stripe rust and septoria tritici blotch (STB). • There was a 42% increase in demand for cereal disease diagnostic activities during 2022 compared with 2021. • Eleven percent of samples submitted as disease were identified as nondisease issues such as plant physiological responses to stress, frost damage, herbicide injury, related to crop nutritional issues or other nondisease issues. • Complexes of physiological and disease symptoms in wheat heads were prominent late in the 2022 cropping season. • NSW DPI plant pathologists supported growers with correct diagnosis, cereal stubble and seed testing and advice on appropriate management options.