26 February 2025
VegNET Lockyer Valley Regional Update Vegetable growers in South-East Queensland (SEQ) are facing a range of challenges as they navigate the complexities of pest management, disease […]
26 February 2025
VegNET New South Wales Regional Update A highly destructive pest that affects sweet corn and many other crops, fall armyworm, continues to be a focus for […]
26 February 2025
VegNET Gippsland Regional Update Participants are briefed on what to look for, from pest populations to signs of beneficial insects and crop health indicators. Armed with […]
12 March 2025
This video provides an overview of the biosecurity risks vegetable growers should consider when faced with wet weather events. Intense or prolonged rainfall, and runoff and […]
12 March 2025
Ace Ohlsson Senior Agronomist Anthony Muscat and plant pathologist Dr Len Tesoriero discuss why brassica crops are susceptible to fungal diseases, such as clubroot, in wet […]
12 March 2025
Integrated pest management consultant Andy Ryland chats to vegetable grower Matt Grech, from the Camden region in New South Wales, about the direct impacts of flooding […]
12 March 2025
Anthony Muscat, Senior Agronomist with Ace Ohlsson, played an important role in supporting vegetable growers during their recovery from the devastating floods of 2022 in New […]
18 March 2025
Internal fruit rot is a significant disease affecting capsicum production, often remaining undetected until it reaches consumers, leading to complaints and reduced confidence in the product. […]
19 March 2025
Related ProjectsReview of the national biosecurity plan for the onion industry and development of a biosecurity manual for onion producersThis project has been funded by Hort […]
19 March 2025
Related ProjectsDevelopment of an onion white rot forecast model for Tasmania (VN14001)This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed […]
26 March 2025
27 March 2025
Join VegNET Tasmania for a 30-minute webinar to get essential insights into fall armyworm (FAW), a major pest threatening Australia’s horticulture sector and beyond. First […]
1 April 2025
American serpentine leafminer (ASLM), thought to be restricted to northern Australia, has now been detected in southeast Queensland in the Lockyer Valley. ASLM can impact Australia’s […]
15 April 2025
Serpentine leaf miner (SLM), Liriomyza huidobrensis, invaded New South Wales and Queensland late 2020. Overseas, SLM has a history of developing resistance to several chemical insecticides. […]
28 April 2025
25 February 2025
Stemphylium leaf blight, caused by Stemphylium vesicarium, affects onions by creating yellow spots on leaves that expand, causing dieback and reducing yield. The fungus spreads via […]
25 January 2025
In onion crops, where plant size and growth rate make weed competition particularly problematic, herbicide resistance in some weed species adds to the challenge. Effective weed […]
30 April 2025
Insecticides are essential for protecting crops against pests and ensuring bountiful harvests, yet they also pose significant environmental hazards. Insecticides kill insects, but the vast majority […]
30 April 2025
28 May 2025
By Marlo Marlinaro, PhD Candidate, La Trobe University Brown etch is a mysterious condition affecting pumpkin growers in Australia. While it only impacts the outer skin […]
21 May 2025
As a vegetable grower, or agronomist, it is likely that you have often been encouraged to ‘report anything unusual’ to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 […]
28 May 2025
The onion fly (Delia antiqua) is a major pest that infests onions, shallots, and leeks. Currently exotic to Australia, its introduction could severely impact the onion […]
2 May 2025
VegNET Northern Territory Regional Update Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are unfortunately not a new guest to Northern Territory soils. Guava root-knot nematode (GRKN) was detected in the […]
28 May 2025
VegNET New South Wales Regional Update Cucurbit production plays an important role in Australia’s horticultural industry, but growers face a range of complex challenges that threaten […]
18 June 2024
Hort Innovation has invested, on behalf of vegetable growers, in a national partnership that links vegetable growing businesses and biosecurity expertise from state and territory biosecurity […]
24 May 2024
The project Optimising chemical and cultural control of onion white rot (VN20007) spanning five years, aims to develop an integrated disease management strategy for this soil […]
24 May 2024
Harvest of onion trials in SA continue to shed light on detection and management of onion basal rot.
The project Epidemiology and management of fusarium basal rot in onions (VN20006) aims to develop an integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) strategy to reduce the impact […]
24 May 2024
Reducing farm biosecurity risks and better preparedness in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall is the focus of the Building Biosecurity Capacity and Resilience within […]
24 May 2024
The National Fall armyworm symposium held in April 2024 gave an update on the current status of the pest here in Australia and globally. The symposium […]
24 May 2024
Bringing together research and grower experiences from across the agriculture sector is critical to developing better management techniques for fall armyworm. Growers across the country have […]
23 May 2024
In April 2024, the Devon Meadows farm of Victorian grower Peter Schreurs & Sons was hit with 60mm of rain overnight. The farm had had almost […]
24 May 2024
The brassica family can provide a positive role in cover crops. How, why and when it is utilised will determine the efficacy of the cover crop […]
11 April 2024
The ‘Building Biosecurity Capacity and Resilience within the NSW Vegetable Industry’ project, funded by the NSW Government’s Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program, brought together scientists […]
29 February 2024
The levy funded project “Co-developing and extending integrated Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall armyworm) management systems for the Australian vegetable industry” VG20003, has concluded and given industry useful […]
28 February 2024
Many in the vegetable industry know too well the threats that the arrival of new plant pests or diseases pose to production systems, farm businesses and […]
16 October 2023
The main soil borne diseases in onions include damping off, white rot, basal rot and pink root. Prevention and management can often be improved via managing […]
19 January 2024
It’s invisible, and you can’t see it until it’s too late; internal fruit rot is a significant problem for field-grown capsicum growers, as it remains unseen […]
18 January 2024
Until June 2022, Australia was one of the few countries that remained free of Varroa mite. After 15 months of attempting to eradicate Varroa mite, the […]
19 July 2023
The project, Epidemiology and management of fusarium basal rot in onions (VN20006) is well underway with researchers undertaking field trials and testing to understand the role […]
23 August 2022
Clubroot is one of the most potentially devastating soil borne diseases affecting brassica vegetables (e.g. cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts) in Australia. Once plants […]
23 August 2022
The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has launched a new Engagement hub on fall armyworm (FAW) for horticulture. This engagement hub is designed to […]
15 August 2022
4pm-4.30pm AEST | Wednesday 7 September The Soil Wealth ICP team is hosting a series of 30-minute webinars focussing on area wide management (AWM) strategies to […]
12 August 2022
A season can be a long time for potato growers between planting, the subsequent application of fertilisers and nutrients, before eventually harvest. The appearance of disease […]
11 August 2022
Looking for ways to manage blackleg in potato crops? This fact sheet provides information on management strategies, the bacteria which commonly cause the disease and what […]
10 August 2022
2pm-4pm AEST | Tuesday 23 August VegNET New South Wales and the NSW Local Land Service invite you to attend a field day visiting Paul and […]
27 June 2022
The iMapPESTS team recently deployed mobile surveillance unit, Sentinel 6 (pictured) to Bowen in Queensland’s Whitsunday region, where it is monitoring high priority pests and diseases […]
2 June 2022
How well do you know vegetable diseases? In this edition of The Front Line, join AUSVEG Biosecurity Officer Zali Mahony as she learns how to improve […]
17 May 2022
Last week, members of the AUSVEG’s biosecurity team attended the 2022 Plant Biosecurity Research Symposium in Adelaide. Held at the National Wine Centre, the two-day event […]
13 May 2022
From 2016 to 2021, the Enhanced National Bee Pest Surveillance Program (NBPSP) a multi-industry project, delivered nationally coordinated bee pest surveillance activities to help safeguard honey […]
13 May 2022
NT Farmers recently renewed its collaboration with Hort Innovation and the AUSVEG-facilitated National Vegetable Extension Program (VegNET) to support local vegetable growers grow a sustainable crop […]
13 May 2022
The best defence against harmful pests, diseases, viruses and weeds for your farm is to implement good farm hygiene. AUSVEG has recently developed a new management […]
1 March 2022
In this article, Victorian agronomist Reyhaneh Pordel explains the differences between seaweed species and how the right seaweed solution can play a major role in Integrated […]
21 March 2022
The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries is leading a new Hort Innovation-funded project that will develop accurate, cost-effective surveillance tools that can be used […]
1 March 2022
The AUSVEG Farm Biosecurity Project continues to improve the preparedness and response capability to manage biosecurity risks for the vegetable and potato industries with an emphasis […]
1 March 2022
Dr Len Tesoriero New South Wales 2010 Len Tesoriero’s career as a researcher identifying and managing vegetable crop diseases spans over four decades. Len retired from […]
28 February 2022
In this ‘Ask the industry’ column, Syngenta Technical Services Lead Brandy Rawnsley (pictured above) discusses the causes and symptoms resulting from the soil-borne fungal disease, Sclerotinia, […]
28 February 2022
A management guide for fall armyworm has recently been developed by AUSVEG, with assistance from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland. The guide is now […]
28 February 2022
Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus is a plant disease that infects fruit and vegetables belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, which was first detected in the Northern […]
28 February 2022
A highly persistent pest that affects vegetable, nursery and flower crops, serpentine leafminer (SLM) continues to be a priority for Greater Sydney vegetable growers. VegNET – […]
22 February 2022
Researchers at the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) have detected resistance to Group 1 and 3 insecticides in serpentine leafminer samples (Liriomyza […]
21 February 2022
Chemicals have different modes of action that can affect both insect pests and beneficial species differently. It’s important for growers to understand the risk profile of […]
14 February 2022
Having issues with controlling insect pests in protected cropping? Watch this Soil Wealth ICP webinar recording with integrated pest management (IPM) expert Andy Ryland to find […]
14 February 2022
One of the best ways to learn is by looking over the fence at what other growers are doing on their properties. The Soil Wealth ICP […]
7 February 2022
Integrated pest management (IPM) refers to the combination of chemical, cultural and biological options for controlling insect pests in Australian vegetable crops. IPM is a key […]
17 December 2021
Pythium diseases can attack a wide range of crops and affect all growth stages of plant development. Tune in to the webinar recording below from the […]
13 December 2021
Fusarium is a genus of common soil-borne fungi. While there are many different pathogenic fusarium species, some of the most damaging diseases are caused by strains […]
7 December 2021
The Soil Wealth ICP project has developed a practical guide to help growers identify and control the major soil-borne diseases for vegetable crops including: Brassicas Capsicum, […]
6 December 2021
TYLCV is a significant disease complex of tomato and can infect many other host species. Agriculture Victoria has released three new industry notices regarding the restricted […]
6 December 2021
In the webinar recording below, Dr. Calum Wilson explains about the good, the bad and ugly ones in the soil and how they interact, and what […]
25 November 2021
In early 2021, a multi-industry project was established to examine the potential of endemic parasitoids of fall armyworm and deliver extension material to growers on how […]
25 November 2021
Exotic leafminers have been the centre of our attention recently – and with good reason. There are three Liriomyza leafminer species that are now present in […]
25 November 2021
In spring 2021, the AUSVEG-facilitated Peri-Urban Biosecurity Program held three workshops to update vegetable growers on current pest and disease threats, as well as provide biosecurity […]
25 November 2021
Despite ongoing movement restrictions around the country, the iMapPESTS team has demonstrated a successful rollout of the new and improved mobile surveillance units across multiple locations […]
25 November 2021
Global online shopping has boomed in recent years, and there are some parcels that can have a detrimental effect on Australia’s biosecurity system. Seeds and other […]
24 November 2021
In this column, VegNET – New South Wales Regional Development Officer Sylvia Jelinek introduces readers to the Greater Sydney Demonstration Farm, located on the Richmond Lowlands. […]
26 October 2021
Pink rot in potatoes is an important soil-borne disease caused by Phytophthora erythroseptica. It can cause rots at all parts of the growing cycle. Read this […]
26 October 2021
Did you know that nutrients can have an impact on plant disease in vegetable crops? Join plant pathologist Dr Len Tesoriero in this webinar recording, as he […]
19 October 2021
Watch this webinar recording on aspects of early blight followed by a panel discussion with a New South Wales focus. The webinar features Len Tesoriero, who gives […]
5 October 2021
While tuber moth can be a serious pest of potatoes, it can also be effectively controlled using agronomic practices and biological controls. This new factsheet by […]
4 October 2021
Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) is caused by a small infectious ‘virus-like’ pathogen that takes over the plant cell machinery. Plant hosts PSTVd has a significant […]
28 September 2021
Spinach crown mites live in the topsoil and thrive in a cool, moist environment. They feed mainly on partly decomposed organic material and on fungi living […]
28 September 2021
Green peach aphids (GPA) are an important pest of vegetables, causing damage by feeding and transmitting viruses. This webinar recording from the Soil Wealth ICP project […]
21 September 2021
Are you having issues with controlling insect pests in protected cropping? Then watch this Soil Wealth ICP webinar recording with integrated pest management (IPM) expert Andy […]
14 September 2021
Outside of COVID-related factors, plant pests and diseases continue to be one of the biggest challenges for vegetable growers. Headlining these pest concerns are fall armyworm […]
14 September 2021
There are several important advancements and lessons from Europe implementing a mandatory Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) approach in vegetable production systems. The need to use ICP in […]
14 September 2021
A global scan into the changes affecting integrated crop protection tools available to vegetable growers is hot off the press from the Soil Wealth ICP team. […]
14 September 2021
Biosecurity plays a critical role in allowing Australia to remain free from many harmful plant pests, diseases and weeds that exist overseas. Australia’s biosecurity controls are […]
14 September 2021
A multi-million-dollar project responsible for developing an ‘area wide management’ strategy commenced in 2018 to address high-priority viral and bacterial diseases affecting vegetable crops. Project Lead […]
14 September 2021
A number of Australasia’s top research institutions have joined forces to develop diagnostics tools that aim to keep pests at bay and maintain good biosecurity across […]
13 September 2021
Water is a potential source of microbial contamination for vegetable crops – whether applied through irrigation, crop protection sprays, or postharvest washes. Ongoing work is investigating […]
13 September 2021
The vegetable season is peaking in north Queensland, and all eyes are on new ways to manage fall armyworm (FAW) and thrips as well as new […]
7 September 2021
Have you heard about native vegetation insectaries? Want to attract more beneficial insects to your crops to better manage pests? On-farm insectaries are areas of flowering […]
7 September 2021
This presentation by Dr Paul Horne outlines the elements of integrated pest management (IPM) in any crop, but particularly in potatoes. The most important biological, cultural and […]
7 September 2021
Pesticide resistance is an ongoing concern for the vegetable industry. Tune in to this webinar recording – with expert practitioners Dr Paul Horne and Jessica Page […]
7 September 2021
Are you struggling to regain control over chemical-resistant pests? The Soil Wealth ICP project developed a series of fact sheets to help vegetable growers manage mega […]
7 September 2021
Farm hygiene is the first step to helping growers protect their own business and the wider horticulture industry, while minimising production losses and unnecessary costs associated […]
31 August 2021
Last week, AUSVEG – alongside VegNET Gippsland and Agriculture Victoria – ran a biosecurity-focused workshop online. The event was originally scheduled to be in-person, but shifted […]
26 August 2021
One of the best defences against pest and diseases is to implement on-farm hygiene practices, which will limit the entry, spread and establishment of pests and […]
16 August 2021
Did you miss out on the opportunity to attend the recent workshop on horticultural pests and diseases in Ayr, Queensland? Don’t worry, you can now watch […]
16 August 2021
Over two days, the RM Consulting Group’s Potato R&D Forum brought together a diverse range of leaders in potato research and development (R&D) to discuss some of the latest […]