Reducing the immigration of suspected leafhopper vectors and severity of Australian lucerne yellows disease
L. J. Pilkington A D , G. M. Gurr A , M. J. Fletcher B , E. Elliott C , A. Nikandrow B and H. I. Nicol AA Pest Biology and Management Group, University of Sydney Orange, PO Box 883, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
B NSW Agriculture, Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
C New South Wales Agriculture, PO Box 369, Forbes, NSW 2871, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: leigh.pilkington@ucr.edu
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 44(10) 983-992 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA03162
Submitted: 8 August 2003 Accepted: 11 March 2004 Published: 25 November 2004
Abstract
Three newly-sown lucerne stands in the mid Lachlan Valley region of New South Wales, Australia, were sampled, over 50 weeks, for Australian lucerne yellows disease symptom distribution and severity. Leafhopper populations were also monitored. Symptoms developed in all 3 stands within 32 weeks of sowing. There were statistically significant spatial differences in the density of symptomatic plants for 2 dates at this and another site. Two possible insect vectors, Austroagallia torrida and Batracomorphus angustatus were more numerous in some sections of crop margins at 2 sites. These 2 species and a third possible insect vector Orosius argentatus each had a statistically significant spatial and temporal correlation with symptomatic plant numbers for at least 1 site date. Two subsequent border treatment experiments evaluated the effect of crop-margin treatments on leafhopper movement into and from the stand. The second border treatment experiment examined also the treatment effect on Australian lucerne yellows disease symptomatic plant numbers. Treatment with insecticide or herbicide significantly reduced the overall movement of leafhoppers. In addition, the insecticide treatment lowered the incidence of disease expression in adjacent lucerne. Results suggest that there is scope for management of this plant disease by reducing immigration of leafhopper vectors into lucerne from non-crop vegetation.
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation for funding this work. We thank the University of Sydney, Orange, laboratory staff members Jenny Wickham and Karen Gogala for technical assistance, NSW Agriculture biometricians Remy van de Ven and Arthur Gilmour for their statistical advice and the landowners: Kevin Rubie, Glen Rubie, Mark Green, Russell Glasson, D. W. Brett, R. N. and M. A. Sanderson, and T. Smith.
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