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WA Pulse Growers Urged to Act Now Against Devastating Crop Viruses
Protecting future harvests is paramount for Western Australian pulse growers, and a new initiative offers a critical tool: free seed testing for high-risk viruses. Teh limited-time offer, facilitated by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in collaboration with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), aims to safeguard the 2026 crops from notable yield and quality losses.
Free Testing for Key Viruses
Up to 40 seed samples from Western Australia will be analyzed at no cost for cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), impacting lupins and lentils, and/or pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV). The service is capped at two 400-gram seed lots per grower and extends to growers in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales.
“Testing seed lots for key viruses provides growers with a strong understanding of yield loss risk from seedborne viruses,” explained a DPIRD project lead. “It is indeed also a really good way for us to assess the occurence and degree of virus contamination across national seed stocks, allowing us identify future risks to crops impacted by these viruses.”
The Threat of Seedborne Viruses
The insidious nature of these viruses lies in their ability to spread rapidly once introduced to a field.Infected seeds can produce scattered, infected seedlings. Aphids then act as vectors,transmitting the virus from these initial plants to healthy ones,leading to reduced plant vigor,diminished yields,and further contamination of the harvested seed.
Previous DPIRD trials have demonstrated the potential for ample losses, with some instances exceeding 50 percent.Notably, research indicates that PSbMV can cause yield reductions in field peas even without visible symptoms, making early detection even more crucial.
Proactive Management is Key
Experts emphasize that the most effective strategy for managing seedborne viruses is prevention. “For seed-borne viruses, the most important management strategy is to sow clean seed – whether it is commercially produced seed or seed growers have grown themselves – because once the crop is sown, these viruses are almost impossible to manage,” a senior official stated. By determining the percentage of infected seed, growers can make informed decisions about their seed lots and mitigate potential risks.
A National Surveillance Effort
This initiative is part of a broader, five-year national project focused on understanding and combating grain crop viruses. Researchers have already analyzed hundreds of crops across the country to assess the prevalence, genetic diversity, and potential impact of these viruses across different regions, crops, and seasons. The project also aims to develop improved management tactics, including optimized insecticide applications and the identification of durable host resistance.
“This project will expand our knowledge of grain crop viruses, which will ultimately enable us to develop improved strategies to manage them effectively,” the DPIRD project lead added.
According to a GRDC manager of diseases, Australian grain growers face a unique challenge with virus threats that can be initially invisible, often mistaken for other environmental stresses. “By delivering reliable data on virus prevalence, seed infection and insect movement, this project will give growers timely warning signals and practical control options so they can prevent infections, rather than chase them.”
how to Access Free Seed Testing
Western Australian growers interested in taking advantage of this free seed testing offer should email DPIRD research scientist Dr. Nazanin Nazeri at [email protected] to request a seed testing form. All testing results will be kept confidential.
for more detailed information about the ‘Effective virus management in grain crops’ project, visit the GRDC website.
