Australasian Plant Pathology (2016) 45, 289-296

S.A. Wakelin, Y. Eslami, K. Dake, B.E.A. Dignam and M. O'Callaghan (2016)
Cost of root disease on white clover growth in New Zealand dairy pastures
Australasian Plant Pathology 45 (3), 289-296
Abstract: The cost to clover growth of soil-borne root disease was measured in ten New Zealand dairy pasture soils. The average increase clover growth (weight) after soil pasteurisation was 28.5 %, but ranged from a 64 % increase (Whataroa soil) to a decrease of 11.9 % (Ruakura soil). The economic cost of reduced clover growth was determined using the Farmax Dairy Pro decision support system. In Southland and Canterbury, clover root disease was estimated to cost $750 and $715 ha^-1 year^-1 respectively, and in the Waikato region $1506 ha^-1 year^-1. DNA-based testing of the soils detected the presence of diverse fungal, oomycete and nematode pathogen populations. A significant linear relationship was found between reduction in clover growth and group F Pythium spp. (P = 0.0177).The DNA-based assay indicated that Aphanomyces trifolii, a root pathogen of subterranean clover, may be present in the dairy-pasture soils. As this pathogen is currently not recognised as present in New Zealand, a definitive determination of its presence is required. Based on the high economic costs of diseases, the control of soil-borne root pathogens in New Zealand pasture is a direct means to increase profitability.
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Database assignments for author(s): Maureen O'Callaghan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
damage/losses/economics

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pythium (genus)	Clover (Trifolium)	New Zealand
	Pratylenchus penetrans	Clover (Trifolium)	New Zealand
	Pratylenchus neglectus	Clover (Trifolium)	New Zealand
	Aphanomyces trifolii	Clover (Trifolium)	New Zealand