RESEARCH & EVENTS
Xylella almond industry workshop
WOULD you know how to recognise Xylella if it was in your orchard ? The plant bacterial disease is not present in Australia but it remains one of the most significant plant disease threats globally . Xylella was recognised as Australia ’ s top National Priority Plant Pest in 2019 by the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry and continues to hold that position due to the potential economic and environmental impacts it could have in Australia . A Xylella workshop for the almond industry is being run by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on January 15 in Griffith . NSW DPI is keen to work with the almond industry to better understand the production practices , potential entry points and spread of this disease . Information from the workshop will help us understand the risk this disease poses to our industry and how it multiplies and spreads which will help assist in the development of an almond biosecurity operating procedure . By having a procedure ready we will know how to better protect our farms from Xylella and what to do if it is detected in Australia . Xylella fastidiosa is present in the Americas , Europe and parts of the
Middle East , while Xylella taiwanensis is only found in Taiwan . Part of why Xylella poses such a high risk to Australia is because it has a broad host range and is known to infect 712 plant species including native , commercial and ornamental plants . This includes horticulture crops like nuts , citrus , grapes , olives , cherries , blueberries , summerfruit , avocado and pear . The bacteria doesn ’ t impact human health but kills plants by damaging the water conducting system ( xylem ) in plants , which shows as leaf scorching . Xylella symptoms can be confused with water stress , frost and herbicide damage . The diseases caused by Xylella infections are known under different names depending on the host and include almond leaf scorch or pierce ’ s disease in grapevines There is currently no cure available for Xylella , so early detection and public reporting is critical . The most likely way Xylella could make its way into Australia is through infected plant material or specific insects that carry and spread Xylella . Biosecurity officers , detector dogs and x-ray machines are used to ensure that host plants and insects that carry Xylella do not arrive with cargo , mail or passengers .
To protect almond orchards growers are advised to maintain best practice on-farm biosecurity practices , ensure propagation material is purchased from reputable suppliers and regularly check trees for symptoms . Growers who spot any unusual symptoms or suspect Xylella is present on their properties should contact the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 . A National Xylella Action Plan 2019- 2029 has been developed and will be formally reviewed every five years . Research and development projects have been funded to support early detection of Xylella if it was to arrive in Australia . The Almond Board of Australia is a signatory to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed and Xylella has been identified as a high priority pest for the industry . To register for the Xylella workshop in Griffith on January 15 click here . The session will run from 8:30am until noon . The topics to be discussed include :
• A technical briefing on Xylella and its vectors ,
• what an emergency response looks like ,
• a hypothetical incursion scenario , which would include communication strategies .
It ' s not just about NPK
From page 41 Optimising Your Fertiliser Program To ensure a balanced nutrient supply , it is crucial to regularly review and adjust fertiliser programs based on projected yields . Taking fruit samples at harvest to calculate nutrient removal , getting accurate yield data from each block and leaf sampling before harvest can be a valuable first step in creating a nutrient budget for the next season . Incorporating calcium and magnesium into your program is also vital , even if these nutrients are required in smaller quantities than nitrogen or potassium . Lastly , conducting a soil test to assess macro and micronutrient levels , cation exchange capacity , pH , organic matter and soil structure data can provide a comprehensive understanding of your orchard ’ s nutritional needs and help guide future decisions . This is critical as a pre-plant exercise as it allows easier application of soil amelioration products and some base fertiliser to supply nutrients to the young tree root systems as they grow outside of the small , wetted area provided by the drip irrigation system .
Summary Effective nutrient management in almond orchards involves more than just focusing on nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium . It ’ s crucial to account for other nutrients like calcium and magnesium , which play key roles in tree health and productivity . Regular fruit & leaf sampling and soil testing help growers adjust fertiliser programs to match nutrient removal , ensuring a balanced supply for crop and tree growth . Overapplication can lead to wasted resources , while underapplication risks limiting yield potential . And remember ... It ’ s not just NPK !
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
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