Key Points:
- There are a large number of root and collar rot diseases of peas and all paddocks surveyed in Canterbury, Southland and Wairarapa in 2008/09 and 2009/10 had a high disease index. Many of these pathogens are often present in pea crops and may not be significant yield limiting diseases.
- There were no clear relationships between the incidence of disease and previous management, such as crop establishment practices, crop rotations, soil types or regions.
- Fusarium species were the most common cause of disease but the yield loss caused by these diseases in peas is not known.
- Ascochyta was isolated from peas at a number of properties.
- Currently there is no data which indicates fungicides are effective at controlling the full spectrum of diseases present in peas, therefore care should be taken prior to applying fungicides to ensure they will control the disease present.
- Fungicides can effectively control Ascochyta if applied at the correct timing; a simple decision support calculator has been developed and can be used to help decide if a fungicide is likely to be required for this disease. Your field representative should have access to this calculator.
- Further research is required to determine the yield loss caused by these diseases and to identify possible control strategies.