SA: Wheat virus found in SA
ADELAIDE, April 29 AAP - A devastating virus with the potential to slash wheat productionin Australia has been found in a wheat plant breeding centre in Adelaide.
The discovery of the wheat streak mosaic virus in crops at the South Australian Researchand Development Institute's Waite Campus has prompted government officials to place theentire area under quarantine.
It follows the discovery of the same virus in a CSIRO research laboratory in Canberraearlier this month.
Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Paul Holloway said testing was continuingat the Waite Campus to determine how far the virus had spread.
He said the quarantine was in line with national protocols to manage the virus andwould affect only the movement of seeds, plants and plant material from within the precinct.
"Although we would expect any losses from the spread of the virus to be minor, thisnew incursion must be treated as a serious threat until more is known about its distributionand impact," Mr Holloway said.
Experts say the virus has the potential to cut wheat production from an infected areaby as much as 90 per cent.
However South Australia is thought to be at less risk because of its dry summer climate.
Areas with summer rain are considered more susceptible to the disease.
AAP tjd/wjf/bwl
KEYWORD: WHEAT
No comments:
Post a Comment