Scientists and farmers join forces to prevent crop disease

Scientists have saved farmers $18 million by monitoring and preventing the spread of a fungal disease found in canola crops.

Blackleg fungus is a wind-borne pathogen and the largest factor in yield loss for canola crops worldwide. By monitoring infested canola, scientists from the University of Melbourne and Marcroft Grains Pathology can then advise farmers to grow canola with different resistance genes.

Professor Barbara Howlett from the University of Melbourne’s School of Botany says while blackleg fungus can never be eradicated, farmers can now stay one step ahead of the disease.