This PhD project, which is funded through the GRDC-led Rural R&D for Profit project “Boosting diagnostic capacity for plant production industries”, is working on improved techniques for diagnosing yellow canopy syndrome (YCS). Although the cause of this syndrome is currently not fully defined the role of insects is one research area being examined. As part of the research, there are two main research aspects that will be explored in selected cane-growing regions.

A rapid in-field molecular diagnostic method would allow more detailed evaluation of the insect fauna at the species level, particularly for insect groups which are prevalent when YCS occurs. It would also allow a detailed study of the population dynamics of those targeted insects, both within cane fields and within field borders.

Alternatively, or in combination, symptom expression could be detected at an early stage before symptoms become apparent at ground level using remote sensing technology.