This investment is responsible for developing an ‘area wide management’ (AWM) strategy to address high-priority viral and bacterial diseases affecting vegetable crops. This strategy will include viral diseases transmitted by thrips, aphid and whitefly pests, and phytoplasmas transmitted by leafhoppers, and will involve pest management approaches. The project will also be keeping track of surveillance of tomato potato psyllid (TPP), through linkages with other industry TPP work. The second major focus of the project is on managing foliar bacterial diseases. Work will also involve developing rapid diagnostic test for key bacterial and viral pathogens. There is a sister component of the same name and code led by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, which is contributing to the development of an area wide management strategy for the New South Wales vegetable industry, complementing the strategies developed under the initial investment.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

• Vegetable Fund