Biosecurity is one of the key areas of levy R&D investment for the nursery industry because protecting industry assets from exotic, emerging and endemic pests and diseases is of utmost importance.

Currently, there are several nursery biosecurity projects underway. In this blog, we look at recent project updates, resources and upcoming events relevant to growers and staff. More

The nationally recognised Tree Stock standard is up for review; an initiative that could impact the nursery industry. Although not a mandatory standard, it is widely used to reduce risk and help ensure the successful establishment of container-grown trees in landscape plantings.

Having a national standard to assess the quality of container-grown trees has shown to be an important metric at instilling grower and customer confidence. Adopted in 2015, the AS2303:2018 tree stock standard is used to assess tree quality according to above-ground testing, below-ground testing and root to shoot balance.

From April 2016 to January 2017, a team from the Western Sydney University Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment travelled across Australia’s states and territory, visiting 23 wholesale nurseries; analysing the standard and the impact of varying climates and tree species. Findings indicated that the current standard was limiting, and modifications could be made surrounding the root to shoot balance criteria. For more information on the study findings, head to: http://bit.ly/TreeStocks

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Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) is encouraging growers, retailers and supply chain participants to jump online and complete a new workforce survey, to gain a timelier depiction of employment and career development issues within the industry.

The survey is available online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nurserycareers and will close on Friday, 30 November. All responses will be anonymous, and the aggregated data will help to inform the development of a robust strategy to better attract, retain and nurture the industry’s workforce.

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Category

Fungi

Symptoms

There are over 100 varieties of Fusarium spp. with symptoms varying greatly according to host and pathogen species. Some symptoms commonly seen include yellowing of lower leaves, wilting, leaf chlorosis and vein clearing, stunted growth and red to brown discolouration of vascular tissue. Stem or cutting rot (but not always) appear as a soft, mushy rot at the base of a cutting or rooted plant, frequently with a purplish-reddish margin.

Sometimes bright red, globular fruiting bodies may form on stem bases in the case of advanced infection. Leaf spots often appear on immature leaves, are irregularly-shaped and tan-reddish brown in colour, sometimes surrounded by a chlorotic halo. Under wet conditions, creamy orange spore masses may be produced in lesions. Bulb rots often start at wounds or through cuts formed at harvest. The basal plate, scales and roots become brown-black, and the rot is generally dry and firm. Foliage turns yellow or brown and dies prematurely.

Many Fusarium spp. are host specific so check symptoms to the host to determine infection.

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With the growing recognition of the power of green, the nursery and garden industry is booming.

To support this increasing demand, it’s important to nurture the growth and prosperity of this vibrant industry, by providing the workforce with unique opportunities to learn, develop and grow.

One way of doing this is by offering scholarships to better empower the leaders, and future leaders of the industry.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the several scholarships being run; to let you know what’s out there and which best suits you! More

Queensland nursery growers who are keen to sharpen their pest and insect mite management skills are encouraged to attend an upcoming workshop being held at two leading nurseries in Queensland this week.

The workshops will be run by NGIQ and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Queensland) and are aimed at providing practical information on how to better manage pests and insect mites using an integrated crop management approach.

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