Investment

Viruses are a pervasive and sometimes a hidden threat to grain and oilseed production across Australia. Numerous viruses affect grain production, varying in their modes of transmission, the crops they affect, and their management strategies. Often, viruses lead to asymptomatic infections; however, when symptoms do occur, they can be easily mistaken for other stress factors like nutrient deficiencies, herbicide damage, or waterlogging. In contrast to fungal diseases, viruses cannot be 'sprayed out' of an already infected crop, therefore control needs to be preventative and relies on good information about potential risk being available. This project will provide data on virus prevalence, insect vector movement, and seed infection levels across Australia's grain growing regions, all of which will assist growers in making more informed management decisions. The project will also provide new information on how these viruses spread, what their yield impact is, and improve control measures.