TRICHODERMA, SAR, and EUTYPA

If you like soil and the plants that grow in it, you get a  little rush of blood when some very clever ag science comes along that provides an exceptionally simple mechanism to a seemingly insurmountable problem.

Few growers in horticulture are unaware of the outstanding benefits Trichoderma spp. has in modern horticulture and potentially broader agriculture for its use in managing some plant diseases. Greater consumer demand for less pesticide use and MRL inspections make trichoderma a sound option as an IPM treatment and tool

However, few  are aware of the  advantages , particularly in grape vines, of Systemic Acquired Resistance, a response eliciting a raised level if resistance to disease by stimulating plant natural defence chemicals as a response to the use of Vinevax Bio-Dowels.

SAR response has been known since first observations in 1901 (Ryals, et al), with various signalling chemicals researched to elicit this ‘primed state’ in plants to resist a secondary infection.

SAR depends on the plant to access past experiences, and remain primed for quick and effective defence response. This enhanced resistance in the plant includes the uninoculated plant organs.

A hallmark of SAR is its activity against a broad range of crop diseases. In addition, SAR can provide a long lasting protection that has been recorded in South Australian  grape vines for over 15 years ( Henschke, pers. comm.).

The naturally occurring Trichoderma strains used in Vinevax Bio-Dowels are specially formulated to support colonisation within the vine as a living guard to protect from destructive wood invading fungi such as Eutypa lata, and Botryosphaeria stevensii,  further promoting healthy vines.  Further benefit of the SAR response is the vine directing energy and resource for growing and producing instead of fighting infection.

REF: Ryals, Uknes, Ward 1994, Plant Physiology. 

Talking Compost

We are often called on to present current issues in management of soils and crops. The science of healthy soils and healthy crops is relevant to us all, and a speciality of Darren Cribbes and conNEXUS global Agronomy Support. 

Last night Maryborough Garden Club, with over 40 guests attending, got into the topic of compost. Covering the science, we created a really good discussion with the their local knowledge contributing to the value of community and growing plants.

Mulching Vs Compost for vegetable gardens.

Making good compost is an appropriate way to improve soils. Adding a little science in to the mix will improve results.

pH, always in a discussion of soils and nutrition.

by Darren Cribbes

Role of Micronutrients in Crop Disease Suppression

Plant diseases continue to play a major limiting role in agricultural production. The control of plant diseases using pesticides, and the rising cost of production, continues to raise concerns and have dictated the need for improved crop management practices.

Crop nutrients can affect disease tolerance or resistance of plants to pathogens.

IPM MasterClass 2011 guests will recall the powerful presentation by Prof. Don Huber. As Dr. Huber states “It is clear that the severity of most diseases can be reduced and the chemical, biological, or genetic control of many plant pathogens enhanced by proper nutrition”.

Following Dr Huber’s  IPM MasterClass 2011, Dr. Ismail Cakmak, in 2012,  reiterated and expanded the discussion around nutrients, particularly micronutrients, in plant health.

“Irrespective of approaches applied in disease control, mineral nutritional status of plants substantially affects plant resistance and tolerance and must be considered in all types of disease management systems”.

“Increasing evidence is available showing that mineral nutrient deficiency or imbalance in mineral nutrition supply ( eg., excess of N and low supply K and micronutrients), greatly increases susceptibility of crop plants to pathogen attack”.

“Mineral nutrition status of plants is very often ignored or unrecognised in practical agriculture and even in breeding programs, this is especially true for micronutrients”.

Soil and crop nutrition have always been a primary component of disease control. Supporting the growth of a healthy plant through grower practice is a key aim to reduce plant stress.

On the most basic level, plants suffering nutrient stress will be less vigorous and more susceptible to a variety of diseases. In this respect, all nutrients affect plant disease. However, some nutrient elements have a direct and greater impact on plant diseases than others.

“Zinc and Boron: most important micronutrients affecting membrane stability”. Cakmak IPM MasterClass 2012

Zn deficient wheat   Source: www.cropwatch.unl.edu 5/4/2014

Disease resistance in plants is primarily a function of genetics. However, the ability of a plant to express its genetic potential can be affected by mineral nutrition.

Soil and Plant Analysis – managing your crop.

The conNEXUS global  Soil and Crop Agronomy Service promotes a range of soil and plant analysis to assist in determining the nutrient status of the soil and crops. Growers often ask when should I sample?, to which we reply now and often. We encourage growers to sample both soil and plants to build a sound understanding of what is happening in the soil and the plant. Modelling nutrient use in the plant and nutrient removal and harvest are simple measures to continually improve nutrient and plant management. Using small trial plots to remeasure results is a simple way to determine the level of change and improvements.

Fertilizer recommendations are developed to optimize nutrient uptake and provide the crop with adequate nutrients for normal growth and yield. In most situations, this level of nutrients will also be sufficient to enable the crop to maximize disease resistance. This said, nutrient and disease interaction remain complex.

IPM MasterClass 2014 – P SCHOOL, 26^th June, Alan Heard Pavilion, Wimmera Event Centre, Horsham.

Registration and Enquiry:
Owen McCarron 0419 006 100
Darren Cribbes 0400 600 556

Bibliography:

Graham and Webb 1991, SSSA PublicationsHuber and Graham  1999 , Howarth PressHuber 2011 pers. comm.Cakmak 2012 pers. Comm.A-Fahdawi MS, Able J, Evans M,  Able AJ, 2014, Response of durum wheat to different levels of zinc and Fusarium pseudograminearum, CSIRO Publishing Crop & Pasture Science. 

IPM MasterClass presents P SCHOOL

IPM MasterClass

presents

P SCHOOL

Phosphorus is a challenge to manage, and vital to be understood for crop production.

P School will provide you the opportunity to learn how phosphorus works and how to make better farm management decisions, learning with some of the world’s leading phosphorous researchers and educators.

Alan Heard Pavilion, Wimmera Event Centre( Field Days site)

Field Days Rd, Longerenong, (via Horsham) Victoria

Thursday, 26^th June 2014.

Four key topic will be covered:

Dr. Sean Mason - Soils and Phosphorus – what is really going on?
- Availability, uptake and soil utilization, what does testing tell me?

Dr. Glenn McDonald - Role and function of phosphorus in crops
- Plant uptake and utilisation, how much is needed, and what does it do?

Dr. Ann McNeill - Biology and soil health – does it work?
- Role of microbiology in building soil health and quality, and P availability.

Dr. Sarah Noack - Fertiliser decisions, forms, testing and research
- Soil and tissue testing, what will I apply and how much?

More information:
Owen McCarron               0419 006 100       owen@ipmmasterclass.com

Darren Cribbes                  0400 600 556       darren@ipmmasterclass.com