Western Australian pulse growers are being encouraged to protect their 2026 crops by taking advantage of a free seed testing offer targeting high risk viruses that can reduce yields, seed quality and profitability.
The offer is available through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as part of a national project delivered in collaboration with the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
Up to 40 seed samples from Western Australia will be tested at no cost for cucumber mosaic virus in lupins or lentils and or pea seed borne mosaic virus. Testing is limited to two 400 gram seed lots per grower.
The service is also available to growers in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.
“Testing seed lots for key viruses provides growers with a strong understanding of yield loss risk from seedborne viruses,” said DPIRD project lead Ben Congdon.
“It is also a really good way for us to assess the occurrence and degree of virus contamination across national seed stocks, allowing us identify future risks to crops impacted by these viruses.”
Sowing seed infected with cucumber mosaic virus or pea seed borne mosaic virus can result in infected seedlings appearing randomly throughout a crop. Aphids can then spread the virus to healthy plants, reducing crop performance and increasing infection levels in harvested seed.
DPIRD trials have shown these viruses can cause yield losses that sometimes exceed 50 per cent. Research has also shown pea seed borne mosaic virus can reduce yields in field peas even when no visible symptoms are present.
“For seed borne viruses, the most important management strategy is to sow clean seed whether it is commercially produced or grown on farm,” Dr Congdon said.
“By measuring the percentage of infected seed, growers can make informed decisions about managing risk.”
The five year project also includes national crop testing to assess virus prevalence, genetic diversity and impact, alongside research into improved management strategies.