Seed treatment approved to tackle crown rot in cereal crops

A new seed treatment has been approved by the APVMA to tackle crown rot in cereal crops. Here’s how it will work.

A new seed treatment that promises to reduce the incidence of the yield-robbing disease crown rot in wheat and barley could change the way farmers approach cropping rotations.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has approved a new seed treatment called Victrato, and farmers will begin using it in the upcoming winter cropping season.

Rupanyup grain grower and Grain Producers Australia southern director Andrew Weidemann said the ability to better control crown rot could change how farmers look at rotations.

He said the prevalence of crown rot became riskier when cereal was grown in a back-to-back scenario.

He said the new seed treatment wouldn’t eliminate the incidence of crown rot completely, but it would allow farmers to reduce yield losses and carefully consider the economics of adding a legume.

Grain Producers Australia chairman Andrew Weidemann.

Legumes are added to the rotation in between cereals to add a break in the cropping rotation. However, there are years when it might be more economically viable to grow cereal on cereal.

“This is where the trial results of the seed treatment are going to be promising,” he said.

Mr Weidemann said he could see adaptations for the seed treatment in the northern Mallee, southern NSW, and central and northern NSW.

Syngenta Australia general manager David Van Ryswyk said figures from the Grains Research and Development Corporation showed crown rot cost the industry $434 million annually due to lost yield.

He described the recent registration of Victrato as a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

“Up until now there have been no solutions to crown rot other than managing rotations,” he said.

The seed treatment was tested across 300 trials in Australia, and Mr Van Ryswyk said the results were promising.

“We have seen very strong results in the performance against crown rot,” he said.

David Van Ryswyk of Syngenta. Picture: Supplied

The mechanics of using the product mean that it is applied directly to the seed as a seed treatment.

Some farmers with the facilities could do this themselves, and there was also demand for pre-treated seed.

The seed treatment was developed through the use of tymirium technology that protects crop seed from nematodes and soil-borne fungal diseases.

Mr Van Ryswyk said it was early days, and the first order for the product came from Moree in northern NSW.

Syngenta Australia product lead for Victrato, Katie Slade, said it was rare for an industry to access a product that could change the outlook for crops on this scale.