Rhizoctonia will cause yield losses especially where cereal crops have had a dry finish, but because this disease doesn’t like moist soils, those growers who have received late spring rains are unlikely to notice any impact.

What this season does emphasise, however, is the need to monitor crops as what might appear completely healthy above ground could be significantly impacted below ground.

One of the country’s leading authorities on rhizoctonia is Alan McKay, principal scientist soil biology and molecular diagnostics with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), which is the research division of the SA Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA).In this podcast, Dr McKay discusses rhizoctonia identification and management.

Contact

Dr Alan McKay, principal scientist soil biology and molecular diagnostics
South Australian Research and Development Institute
(08) 8429 2216
alan.mckay@sardi.gov.au

Resources

• Rhizoctonia