Experience counts in buckwheat growing, so monitor the crop carefully throughout its growth, keeping notes of events and crop progress. Few disease problems have occurred so far in Australian buckwheat crops, though some diseases have been reported overseas. Watch out for seedling problems from soil-borne fungal diseases and report any suspected foliar disease to an agronomist for investigation. Few insect problems have been encountered, though brown cutworms, which can damage many spring-sown broad leaf crops, are an occasional problem in seedlings. Other potential pests to watch out for are Rutherglen bug and armyworm caterpillars, though the latter feed only rarely on broad leaf plants.
Weeds are a potential problem in some growing areas.
On the Northern Tablelands vigorous summer grasses can cause serious problems. In some Victorian buckwheat districts fat hen and wild radish are encountered. Herbicide control is being investigated but nothing is available yet in Australia. For the best weed control, prepare a seed bed, allow weeds to germinate and use a knockdown spray. Sow the crop evenly at 10-20 mm depth into a good moist seedbed, without deeper working which brings more weed seeds to the surface.