Field Trip and Workshops
SCHEDULE
- Monday 26th August : Field trip
- Tuesday 27th August : Workshop 1 (Nematology Workshop) + Late afternoon welcome
- Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th August : ASDS Conference
- Friday 30th & Saturday 31st August : Workshop 2 (Phytophthora Workshop)
Field Trip Tweed Valley
When: Monday 26 August 2024
Time: 8.00am departure and return approximately 4.30pm.
Depart: Peppers Salt Resort and Spa
Cost: $130 AUD
Join us to learn more about the crops and their problematic pathogens, the soils and the interactions of the three in the subtropical and spectacular Tweed Valley in the shadow of Wollumbin (Mt Warning). We will visit sugar cane, grain legumes, banana, avocado and sweet potato farms and hear how growers are managing the constraints of soil-borne diseases. For example, how soybeans are improving nitrogen fixation and soil health as part of a rotation with cane and how the cane industry is managing the endemic oomycete pathogen, Pachymetra. The 26th August bus tour will depart at 8am and return by 4:30pm and will include lunch. Make sure you have a hat and comfortable, closed in shoes as there will be some walking involved.
Workshop 1: Nematology Workshop
When: Tuesday 27 August 2024
Time: 8.30am - 3.30pm
Where: Peppers Salt Resort and Spa
Cost: $110 AUD
Description: Root-Knot nematodes (RKN, Meloidogyne spp.) with their wide host ranges and ability to alter plant physiology are amongst the most destructive of soilborne pathogens in agricultural farming systems across the globe, including Australasia, where endemic species have recently been joined by the invasive Guava Root-Knot Nematode (GRKN, Meloidogyne enterolobii), as threats to the profitability and sustainability of our farming systems. This workshop brings together local expertise in RKN with visiting expert Dr Johan Desaeger from the USA where GRKN is currently causing serious issues. The workshop will combine seminar presentations with hands-on morphological identification sessions to give participants an up-to-date awareness of the latest research and information for detecting, identifying and dealing with these destructive pests. For more information download the flyer below.
Workshop 2: Phytophthora Workshop
When: Friday 30 August 2024
Time: 8.00am
Departs: Peppers Salt Resort and Spa
Cost: TBA
Description: The oomycete genus Phytophthora includes many serious pathogens of natural and horticultural systems. P. cinnamomi is recognised as a Key Threatening Process to Australia’s biodiversity under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999). In addition to direct losses due to plant deaths and habitat destruction, managing outbreaks of disease caused by Phytophthora imposes significant extra costs for growers and land managers. This workshop brings together experts to discuss the distribution of Phytophthora species across Australasia, identifying risks of emerging species and diseases, benchmarking sampling methodologies, current and novel detection and identification methods (including a Phytophthora sniffer dog demonstration), best practice in management and the development and implementation of nursery accreditation.
Expressions of interest only. This workshop may involve possible overnight stay in the Border Ranges.
