Identification and characterization of disease suppressive soils in the Western Region (DAW00201)

The main aim of this project was to identify, confirm and characterise cereal disease suppressive sites in Western Australia (WA) to rhizoctonia root rot (Rhizoctonia solani AG8), take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici), crown rot (Fusarium pseudograminearum) or root lesion nematodes (RLNs). Eleven sites were identified as having suppression to either rhizoctonia root rot or fusarium crown rot. Disease suppression to rhizoctonia root rot was identified to have a biological basis. Suppression to rhizoctonia root rot was observed to occur in up to three consecutive years for one site. While the management practices were not able to be identified, this project confirmed that disease suppression occurs in WA soils and environments.