Russian wheat aphid: FITE approach economically sound

2019

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Maarten van Helden
Year(s) 2019
Contributor SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial location(s) Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA
Russian wheat aphid: FITE approach economically sound locations
Aims

Russian Wheat Aphid (RWA) was first reported in 2016 in South Australia (SA), and has since been detected widely throughout Victoria, and in New South Wales (NSW) as far north as Coonamble and as far east as Tamworth.  It has not been detected in Queensland or Western Australia.

As part of the GRDC investment “Russian Wheat Aphid Risk Assessment and Regional Thresholds”, field trials were run at Minnipa for the second year through the Minnipa Agricultural Centre team. The purpose of these trials was to look into the level of natural infestation of cereal crops, and the effect of high RWA populations (obtained through artificial inoculation) on aphid and symptom dynamics and yield loss. This trial was one of a suite of trials undertaken in SA, Victoria, Tasmania, and NSW over 2018 and 2019, and contributes to a larger dataset.

 

The aim of the trial reported here was to determine the risk of RWA infestation in cereal crops in the Minnipa area in 2019 and observe the effect of high aphid numbers achieved through artificial inoculation on crop development and yield.

Key messages
  • In the 2019 Minnipa field trials, natural infestation of RWA was extremely low. As such, prophylactic seed treatments were not warranted against this aphid for the 2019 season.
  • After artificial inoculation, RWA numbers increased to levels above the United States (US) intervention threshold. In this trial up to 15% of tillers with aphids and >30% of tillers with symptoms were measured, but no significant effect on yield was observed. 
  • RWA should be managed using currently recommended intervention thresholds. The US threshold of 20% of plants with RWA before tillering, and 10% of tillers with aphids after GS35-40 seems sufficiently conservative to avoid any yield loss. Find further details in the GRDC RWA Tips and Tactics Guide, which can be downloaded online.
Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA 2019

Plot size 12 m x 1.8m (6 row) x 4 reps x 25.5 cm row spacing

Trial design Randomised complete block design

Lead research organisation South Australian Research and Development Institute
Host research organisation SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial funding source GRDC UOA1805018RTX
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

This research initiative is a GRDC investment (“Russian Wheat Aphid Risk Assessment and Regional Thresholds” project UOA1805-018RTX) that seeks to deliver information on Russian wheat aphid management for grain growers. This project is being undertaken by the SARDI and cesar. Special thanks to Fiona Tomney and Katrina Brands at Minnipa Agricultural Centre who did all the observations on these trials.


Other trial partners University of Adelaide, Cesar
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2019

Sow date 15 May 2019 15th May 2019
Harvest date 8 November 2019 8th November 2019
Plot size 12m x 1.8m
Plot replication 4
Plot blocking Random
Plot randomisation Blocking
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Red sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Calcarosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA
2019 299.6mm
2018 335.2mm
2017 338.2mm
2016 305.1mm
2015 286.4mm
2014 338.0mm
2013 287.6mm
2012 329.5mm
2011 356.6mm
2010 337.6mm
2009 369.5mm
2008 300.3mm
2007 285.9mm
2006 305.8mm
2005 267.5mm
2004 263.8mm
2003 263.8mm
2002 254.9mm
2001 317.8mm
2000 353.9mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA

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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2019 trial report



Trial last modified: 19-05-2023 14:55pm AEST