CROPPING

Boost for lupin crops in NSW

Keep an eye on your lupins this year

Alex Paull

This article is 8 years old. Images might not display.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) plant pathologist Kurt Lindbeck said lupin crops can be grown outside a small zone of infected properties in southern NSW, in line with a five-point management plan.

“We advise all albus and narrowleaf lupin growers to adopt the plan, which aims to reduce opportunities for the establishment and spread of anthracnose,” Lindbeck said.

The five-point plan advises growers to:

  • Target seed treatment with thiram fungicide
  • Keep this year’s crop separate from 2016 stubble
  • Control any volunteer lupin plants
  • Manage machinery and people movements into and out of lupin crops
  • Apply a foliar fungicide and grass herbicide six to eight weeks after emergence and a follow-up fungicide treatment before canopy closure

Western Australian research, where the disease has been present for 21 years, found foliar fungicides containing mancozeb, chlorothalonil or azoxystrobin were effective in managing the disease, which is caused by the Colletotrichum lupini fungus.

Anthracnose affects only lupins and albus lupins are particularly susceptible to this devastating disease.

Lindbeck said anthracnose can develop at all crop stages, including seedlings.

“Growers and advisers should inspect lupin crops for anthracnose symptoms, which are most obvious when crops start flowering and podding, producing bent and twisted stems to form a shepherd’s crook shape,” he said.

“Stems bend due to lesions, with bright pink to orange spores found in the bend of the crook, which spread through the crop onto growing plant pods and infect developing seed.

“Anthracnose develops in hotspots throughout the crop and can spread by rainsplash.”

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Research Report: Mouse Bait Applications (June 2025)

Mice remain a significant issue for cropping regions and the June Research Report, supported by an investment from the Grains Research and Development Corporation, brings together the latest research and practical recommendations for bait spreading and machinery performance to help growers improve mouse control strategies.

editions

Research Report: Farm Labour (May 2025)

Farm labour, whether temporary, casual, contract or permanent staff, is an essential part of agriculture. This Research Report provides insights to help better source and manage one of the farm’s most valuable assets – its people.

editions

Research Report: Sheep Yards (April 2025)

This month's Research Report includes more than a dozen case studies of new sheep yard builds and renovations from around the country. There are plenty of ideas to make the handling of stock more efficient and stress-free.

editions

Research Report: Large Square Baler Testing (March 2025)

This month Kondinin Group has capacity tested four high-density, large square balers in what is believed to be a first for Australia. Balers from Krone, Kuhn, Massey Ferguson and New Holland were put through their paces, working in windrowed straw.