Detecting pest and disease in your grove
By Laura Thomas
Regular tree monitoring is the key to a healthy and productive grove and high yield, no matter the season.
And as another harvest draws near in Australia, it’s critical for producers to be regularly checking for pest and disease to protect the integrity of their crop and ensure maximum yield.
Walk or drive around your grove on a regular basis, know how to spot the early signs of infestation and infection and ensure affected trees are treated quickly to stop the spread.
Early detection and rapid treatment is a grower’s best insurance, ensuring the best possible outcome.
Check out some of the Australian Olive Association’s fact sheets, providing information and images to help you spot and identify some of the most common and destructive pest and diseases found in Australian olive groves.
Australia’s number one olive pest thrives in warm, moist conditions and infestations can occur throughout the growing season.
The insect pest is native to Australia and feeds mostly on the underside of leaves, producing yellow spots. Severe infestation can lead to yellowing leaves, leaf drop and decreased tree health and productivity.
A dome-shaped, sap-sucking insect pest that attaches to leaves, compromising the health of the tree.
Heavy infestation can cause defoliation, reduce the next season’s crop and coat fruit with honeydew, leading to development of sooty mould, downgrading fruit quality.
A globally significant disease in olives caused by fungal infection, which reduces tree health, yields and oil quality.
In trees, symptoms of infection include wilting leaves, defoliation and dieback present during wet weather. Infected fruit will develop lesions as they ripen.
Peacock spot (Olive leaf spot)
A common fungal disease affecting olive trees during wet and humid conditions, causing spotting on the leaves, yellowing and leaf loss. Less commonly, developing fruit can also be affected.
Find out more
More information on some of the most common and destructive insect pests affecting olive trees, is available on the AOA website,
IPDM fact sheets are also available, or consult the Olive IPDM Best Practice Manual by Robert Spooner-Hart and Len Tesoriero.
Looking for more? AOA membership unlocks a further wealth of exclusive information and resources.
It definitely pays to be a member of the nation’s peak industry body representing Australian olive growers. Click here to find out more.
Sources:
www.australianolives.com.au