Pre-sow assessment of crown rot risk in the northern region

Abstract

Key findings • PreDicta B is a good technique for identifying the level of risk for crown rot (and other soil-borne pathogens) prior to sowing within paddocks. However, this requires a dedicated sampling strategy and IS NOT a simple add on to a soil nutrition test. • Soil cores should be targeted at the previous winter cereal row if evident and DO NOT remove any stubble fragments. • Short pieces of stubble (up to 15) from previous winter cereal crops and/or grass weed residues can be added to the soil sample to enhance detection of the Fusarium spp. that cause crown rot. • If you are not willing to follow the recommended PreDicta B sampling strategies then DO NOT assess disease risk levels prior to sowing.