Emergency funding to address canola virus

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has announced an emergency funding package of $315,000 in response to a significant outbreak of beet western yellows virus (BWYV) in canola crops in the southern region.
Transmitted by green peach aphid (GPA), the combination of virus and aphid feeding has caused considerable damage and crop losses in parts of South Australia and Victoria, and infection has also been detected in southern New South Wales.
GRDC Managing Director, John Harvey, says that in the early stages of the outbreak, initial identification of BWYV as well as testing of GPA populations for insecticide resistance was undertaken with support from existing GRDC investments.
“In recognition of the severity and extent of this outbreak, the GRDC has now provided an additional injection of $315,000 as emergency funding,” Mr Harvey said. This funding will be used to:
• Appoint part-time co-ordinators to conduct a forensic analysis of canola paddocks including management practices, aphid activity and weed levels that have contributed to the severity of the outbreak. The co-ordinators will also assist with collection of aphid samples for resistance testing in the systematic survey. This information will be used to ensure best advice is available to limit potential damage in future years. This work will be led by Dr Jenny Davidson and Mr Greg Baker, of the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
• Co-ordinate communication to growers and advisers nationally to ensure they have the best information available to limit further damage. This will include presenting at regional field days and providing updates for e-newsletters. The co-ordinator role in SA has also been assisted with an additional $40,000 in emergency funding provided by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT).
• Undertake a preliminary assessment of virus levels in canola varieties to identify if there are any useful levels of resistance to BWYV for future sowing recommendations.
• Collect aphid populations in the southern region in a targeted manner and test for resistance to key insecticide groups to determine effective options for ongoing aphid control in both canola and pulses. This work will be led by Dr Paul Umina of cesar.

More information on BWYV and GPA is available via:
• GRDC Hot Topic website: www.grdc.com.au/BWYV
• GRDC Resistance Management for Green Peach Aphid Fact Sheet: www.grdc.com.au/GRDC-FS-GreenPeachAphid

Typical symptoms of BWYV in canola. Photo: Mick Faulkner