THE Grains Research and Development Corporation has recently launched a new initiative aimed at addressing economic strain from soilborne crop diseases.
The Soil-Borne Disease Initiative is a five-year program that will invest $20 million to secure soil productivity against some of the most persistent diseases affecting grain farming.
The loss from soilborne diseases on grain reaches an estimated $1.71 billion, and RDC Board Chair and SA grain grower Sharon Starick said the initiative will support research delivering long-term management paths of economic loss.
“Soil-borne diseases are responsible for more than half of total yield losses from disease in Australian grain crops,” she said.
“Through this initiative, which builds on past research we aim to equip Australian grain growers with practical, economic and innovative soil-borne disease management strategies that reduce the financial impact of these diseases on their farming businesses.”
The initiative will also involve collaboration from research partners who will add $14 million on top of GRDC’s $20 million to investigate diseases like Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia, nematodes, and crown rot.
Some of the partnerships include Adelaide University’s South Australia Research and Development Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and more.
The collaboration will bring together a variety of soil disease research under the same umbrella and GRDC managing director Nigel Hart said it will help spotlight the unique challenges in different fields.
“We know this is a critical area for growers and advisers, which is why we have committed to bringing current and new research together in a highly effective multi-disciplinary way,” he said.
“As well as the research and development activities the initiative will have a communications and extension component delivered by AgCommunicators, through the Disease Management Extension Network.
“By bringing together Australia’s leading researchers and communication and extension specialists, we’re ensuring growers and advisers have the information, support and confidence they need to adopt and implement new and improved disease management strategies.”
