May 12, 2006

Western Australia discovers wheat disease

The Wheat Streak Mosaic virus has been found in Western Australia for the first time. According to the Department of Agriculture and Food, one case was reported in the Kondinin area, while two others were discovered in Esperace.

Last year, the same disease had devastated some wheat crops in New South Wales.

Agriculture deputy director general Rob Delane said that the virus might be transmitted through seeds.

Although the affected plants showed no symptoms of the virus, their samples tested positive during laboratory tests as part of the department's routine surveillance programme.

Delane said the seeds might have been infected last year, or the plants were infected by another source such as mites.

Meanwhile, the department has advised the property owners on various response measures.

Detecting the disease is difficult because there are currently no seed tests for the virus, and symptoms are not easily seen apart from very severe cases.