Diseases

Diseases have a detrimental effect on plants and animals and impact on market access and agricultural production. Diseases include micro-organisms, disease agents (bacteria, fungi and viruses), infectious agents, parasites and genetic disorders.

Western Australia is free from some of the world's major agricultural and livestock diseases. Biosecurity measures on your property are vital in preventing the spread of diseases.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides:

biosecurity/quarantine measures at the WA border to prevent the entry of plant and animal diseases
post border biosecurity measures for harmful animal and plant diseases
advice on widespread diseases present in the state.

For advice on animal and plant diseases search our website, the Western Australian Organism List or contact our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS).

For diagnostic services, please contact our Diagnostic Laboratory Services.

Articles

Understanding and managing sclerotinia stem rot in lupins

19 May 2022

With lupins being susceptible and grown in close rotation to canola, particularly in the northern WA wheatbelt, lupin growers are facing increasing pressure from sclerotinia stem rot (caused by
Managing blackleg in canola

5 December 2013

Blackleg is the most regularly occurring, serious disease of canola in Western Australia.
Registered foliar fungicides for lupin and other pulse crops in Western Australia

4 April 2018

The information provided on this page details products with full registration or with permits for use in pulse crops and provides further details on application rates, withholding periods and other
Registered foliar fungicides for canola in Western Australia

24 June 2015

Which foliar fungicide active ingredients are registered for which canola diseases in Western Australia?
Control of green bridge for pest and disease management

19 December 2013

In Western Australia's Mediterranean-type climate, the survival of pests and diseases over summer is often critical in determining pest outbreaks and disease epidemics in broadacre crops.
Wheat disease ratings

22 June 2014

When selecting a wheat variety to implement in a farming system, it is important to be aware of the variety's disease package to plan management options. The disease resistance ratings for wheat va
Managing sclerotinia stem rot in canola

6 January 2014

Sclerotinia stem rot is a fungal disease of canola, that can cause significant yield losses exceeding 20% under conducive conditions. Initially only common in parts of the Geraldton port zone, it
Managing yellow spot and septoria nodorum blotch in wheat

5 December 2013

Leaf spot diseases affecting wheat in Western Australia are septoria nodorum blotch, yellow spot and septoria tritici blotch.
Primary Industries Development 2021 Research Trials Map

22 January 2018

In 2021 the Department is conducting over 300 research trials across the state from Kununurra in the north to Esperance in the south.
Registered foliar fungicides for cereals in Western Australia

19 November 2013

Which foliar fungicide active ingredients are registered for which cereal diseases in WA?