Reliability of paddock sampling for the organisms (Anguina funesta and Clavibacter toxicus) responsible for annual ryegrass toxicity

Abstract

An examination of within-paddock distribution of the nematode (Anguina funesta) and bacterium (Clavibacter toxicus) responsible for annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) was undertaken to determine the reliability of farmer-collected samples in determining the risk of ARGT. Areas in Western Australia with a recent history of ARGT outbreaks were selected for study. The results indicate that the distribution of ARGT organisms is patchy in paddocks with low population densities, but as the populations grow they spread throughout the paddock. Populations are not likely to reach toxic levels before they become widespread in the paddock. Farmer-collected samples processed by the ARGT Testing Service procedure were found to be a reliable tool for the management of ARGT in Western Australia.