![MALLEE TOUR: A group of ladies from the Mallee region spent the day learning from agronomist Lou Flohr and UniSA professor Barbara Pocock. MALLEE TOUR: A group of ladies from the Mallee region spent the day learning from agronomist Lou Flohr and UniSA professor Barbara Pocock.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/3AVQXXVxehY6aUCkmGUt6Z2/b925e6fa-c68f-448e-a00a-cba9d192431a.jpg/r0_573_4032_2490_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
THE population of Russian wheat aphid in the Mallee remains under control.
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Agronomist Louise Flohr, Lameroo, said the pest was restricted to certain areas.
“This is largely confined to areas that had summer rainfall and had volunteer cereals that provided a host for the aphids in autumn,” she said.
“We are flying blind as to what will happen in spring, but the recent cold and wet weather has slowed their reproductive rate and spread.”
Russian wheat aphids were discovered in the Mid North in May, and have since spread across SA and Vic.
Ms Flohr said symptoms of the aphids were simple to identify.
“Leaves appear erect, and have white/yellow to pink/red streaks along the leaf. The leaf is also curled,” she said.
“When the leaf is uncurled, the aphids can be seen on the leaf.”
Ms Flohr said growers affected by the pest who were considering spraying should follow thresholds provided by SARDI, and avoid panic spraying.
Ms Flohr said other than the aphids, the season was looking good.
“We have missed out on a lot of rainfall compared to other areas of the state, and there is a lack of subsoil moisture, but crops are still looking good,” she said.
“Their growth stage is behind compared to crops this time last year, due to the dry and late start.”
Ms Flohr said the rainfall had varied a lot this year.
“In Lameroo as of July 15, we have had about 130 millimetres for the year, with about 65mm of that falling in the growing season,” she said.
“The crops are mid to late tillering on average, and there has been some juvenile frosting in some crops causing tissue damage, but this isn’t likely cause yield penalties.”
Ms Flohr said wind had played havoc on sandy soils, especially those that were grazed during summer and many growers have had to resow patches of their paddocks to cover the soil.
- PICTURED ABOVE: Skye Hayes, Barbara Pocock, Nat Koch, Tanya Roberts, Karen Wegner, Abbi Paech, Sonja Marchant, Liz Kerr, Jenny Roberts and Hannah Loller.