Field pea blackspot disease forecasts for WA are available online
DPIRD’s blackspot in field pea disease forecasts for the Western Australian 2023 season can now be viewed online. The latest forecast is current to May 8, 2023, and DPIRD's Blackspot Manager model has used weather data from January 1 to May 7, 2023, from the nearest weather station.
Blackspot Manager is a model that predicts the maturity and release of spores using weather data from the nearest weather station. Advice is given on when it is safe to sow field pea.
Blackspot becomes established when spores of the fungi produced on old field pea stubble are carried into the new crop by wind after rain events. Infection may occur at any stage of plant growth. The most effective way of reducing blackspot in field pea is to delay sowing the crop until a significant number of spores have been released off the stubble.
Currently the blackspot risk is low at Mount Howick and Mount Barker. For agronomic reasons it is recommended not to sow field pea at Mount Howick before May 10 and at Mount Barker until after May 25.
The blackspot risk is medium at Darkan, Katanning and Salmon Gums. It is recommended that sowing of field pea at these sites be delayed until the blackspot risk forecast is low.
The blackspot risk is high at all other locations, and it is recommended to avoid sowing field pea at any of these location until the risk level decreases.
This forecast will be updated weekly between now and the end of June.
Field pea should not be sown before May 10 but it is a crop that does not suffer yield penalties for later sowing in May, so can be left until the end of the seeding program before sowing. Blackspot Manager considers both blackspot spore release levels and agronomic suitability for the sowing recommendations.
Sowing time can depend on a range of factors and it is recommended to consult an agronomist to determine the optimal sowing window for your situation.
To view the latest forecast, refer to DPIRD's Field pea blackspot management guide for Western Australia - 8 May 2023.
For more information on blackspot, refer to the department’s Diagnosing blackspot in field peas webpage.
The Blackspot Manager forecasts can be viewed online. We offer a free SMS service in which a weekly text will be sent for your chosen location informing you of the blackspot risk and giving a recommendation if it is safe to sow. To subscribe to the free blackspot SMS service, text 'blackspot', your name, and nearest weather station to +61 (0)475 959 932. We also send out a weekly email to those who prefer to receive this information in their inbox. To subscribe to the direct email service, email Blackspot.Manager@dpird.wa.gov.au .
For more information on blackspot in field peas, or the forecasts, contact Research scientist Jean Galloway, Northam on +61 (0)475 959 932.
Article authors: Jean Galloway (DPIRD Northam) and Cindy Webster (DPIRD Narrogin).