THE resurgence in interest for export production with new apple varieties from Western Australia's Manjimup region has prompted an agribusiness to conduct its own disease management research.
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Nutrien Ag Solutions is assessing the behaviour of powdery mildew and alternaria pathogens in commercial production blocks of Rosy Glow apples this season.
The trial work has allowed comparisons of various commercial fungicides and their behaviour against different stages of disease lifecycle development.
Various fungicides have different withholding periods when used in export production and this can result in sizable changes to the disease control strategies relayed to growers.
Nutrien Ag Solutions Manjimup agronomist Adam Chapman said such trials allowed the business to assess the value of different fungicide products, and formulate adaptable strategies suited to both export and domestic production systems.
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"We need to take an adaptive mindset to disease management," Mr Chapman said.
"Instead of writing a program upfront, we need to use the knowledge that we get from trials to adapt to seasonal conditions and take time to understand what is happening in the field."
Field activities have come to an end which marks a period of data entry and analysis prior to grower discussions for disease program strategies with growers in the coming months.
Nutrien Ag Solutions research agronomist Scott Paton said the field research trials generate valuable independent, scientifically valid, data sets for agronomy staff to reference.
"Our agronomists are more confident with recommendations for varying conditions and problems they may encounter, suppliers have a better understanding of how their product is being used in the market and growers will benefit from an increased practical understanding of disease management," Mr Paton said.
"We are working with industry to present these findings to all the relevant groups at industry events.
Field extension walks were conducted over the course of the summer, culminating in some sessions as part of the Western Australian Apple Variety and Innovation Conference.
Conference attendees included local, interstate and international visitors.
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