SA chickpea growers are being urged to apply preventative fungicide sprays in chickpea crops following a severe outbreak of ascochyta blight.
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SARDI plant pathologists have found the disease on previously resistant chickpeas in crops across the Lower North, Mid North and Yorke Peninsula.
Severe ascochyta infection was found on PBA Striker crops, with moderate infection levels on previously resistant Genesis090 crops.
Ascochyta blight can infect all above-ground parts of the plant and is most prevalent when cool, cloudy and humid weather occurs during the crop season.
Growers and advisors are advised to spray chickpea crops prior to rain events, follow up with regular monitoring and apply additional preventative fungicide sprays during spring in order to avoid losses.
“Growers need to plan ahead, as there are limited supplies of many fungicides in 2016 so if you think you may need to apply fungicides, speak with your supplier,” SARDI Pulse Pathology principal research scientist Jenny Davidson said.
