Ngi Updates | Your Levy at Work

Biosecurity Advice: Phyllosticta cavendishii (Banana freckle)

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Pest

Phyllosticta cavendishii (Banana freckle)

Date

24 June 2022

Location

Batchelor – Rum Jungle. Northern Territory (NT)

Situation

In late May 2022, scientific diagnosis confirmed Phyllosticta cavendishii (banana freckle) at a property in Rum Jungle, approximately 100 kilometres south of Darwin (see map). A further two properties, also in the Rum Jungle/Batchelor region, were confirmed as positive in early June. On 15 June, the NT Government received positive results for an additional four properties. More

Biosecurity Advice: Blueberry Rust Western Australia

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Pest

Thekopsora minima (Blueberry rust)

Date

27 June 2022

Location

Western Australia (WA)

Situation

In April 2022, the fungus Thekopsora minima, causal agent of Blueberry rust, was detected in WA. Tracing, surveillance and stakeholder engagement activities in WA led to detections in multiple locations, including the Perth metropolitan area, Manjimup and Swan View. Plants with symptoms have been reported by industry in Bunbury, Busselton, and Kalgoorlie.

Prepare for natural disasters with these levy-funded resources

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Over the past few years, Australian production nurseries have been tested as frequent natural disasters including floods, droughts and cyclones have caused damage to stock and infrastructure.

Australian production nurseries have always been prone to natural disasters. By design, nurseries are often on flat ground, near rivers or other water sources increasing their risk of floods. More

New smart technology and remote sensing survey

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Tuesday, 21 June 2022

Nursery managers and staff are being encouraged to fill out a short survey developed by Greenlife Industry Australia (GIA) to help gather insights on the uptake of smart farming technologies in production nurseries.

Funded under the National Landcare program through a Hort Innovation strategic levy funded project, this survey seeks to not only identify what smart farming technologies are being used or would like to be used, but how these technologies are helping to manage and improve production. More

Mid-year applications are open for the Hort Masterclass!

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Wednesday, 15 June 2022

Mid-year applications for the 2022 Hort Masterclass are open.

Delivered by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, with input from international research providers, the University of Tasmania’s Masterclass in Horticultural Business is a professional development program for those looking to accelerate their careers within horticulture.

The program brings together more than 30 individuals across Australian horticulture, including those from the nursery industry in 2022. More

PROJECT UPDATE: Spider lilies can be used to warn of tospovirus infections

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Tuesday, 14 June 2022

Project Update

Tospoviruses, a group of thrips-transmitted viruses, have the potential to greatly harm plant production in Australia
A levy-funded project is currently exploring ways that growers could identify infestation from these pathogens early, enhancing biosecurity
The project has found that spider lilies can be used to warn of tospovirus infection and growers should consider using them as sentinel plants