Septoria tritici blotch – risk and management considerations for 2024

Abstract

Key findings • Favourable climatic conditions early in the 2023 growing season resulted in widespread and the increased prevalence of septoria tritici blotch (STB) in southern NSW (sNSW). • With resultant high stubble loads from the 2021–2023 seasons, STB risk levels are likely to be elevated again in 2024. • STB infection and epidemic development is highly dependent on climatic conditions throughout the season. Climatic conditions in 2024 will dictate the severity of any STB epidemic. • If there are optimal climatic conditions and early STB infection is evident, apply fungicide at GS31–32 to suppress the epidemic and enable flexibility with later fungicide applications. • Not all fungicide active ingredients are equal when it comes to controlling STB and fungicide choice is becoming increasingly important. • NSW DPIRD plant pathologists can assist with correct diagnosis and advice on appropriate integrated disease management (IDM) options.