Rotations can greatly influence the risk of disease. It is preferable to grow lupins after a cereal crop, retaining the cereal stubble on the soil surface. Brown Spot is caused by the fungus Pleiochaeta setosa and is responsible for yield losses throughout the State. The effects of this disease are significant in that they dictate rotational break and crop establishment methods over most of the State. The development of new varieties with a higher tolerance to brown spot such as Tanjil and Myallie, can help overcome the risk of yield loss.
Management is important in the control of brown spot.
Retaining cereal stubble as mulch on the soil surface reduces the rain splash of spores onto the foliage of the plant, reducing the disease severity. A minimum of 20 per cent ground cover on the soil surface after the seeding operation is recommended. A fungicide seed dressing is also recommended.