Improved Disease Management in Avocado Orchards

This investment is identifying strategies to minimise the effects of key diseases in avocado orchards and in fruit as it progresses through the supply chain. The project has a focus on diseases including Phytophthora root rot, hellinus brown root rot, nectriaceous black root rot, stem end rot, branch and graft dieback. A major component of the project will be field trials to assess effects of new chemicals and soil amendments on tree health, fruit yield and quality, including investigating phosphite treatments for Phytophthora. The fungi associated with fruit stem end rot, graft dieback, branch cankers and branch dieback will be investigated. Evaluating Trichoderma and fungicide drench management options for Phellinus brown root rot and black root rot will also be undertaken.