An outbreak
of the potentially devastating fungal disease downy mildew in
the Swan Valley outside of Perth had WA wineries in a panic in
October.
Until this
time, WA had been free of the blight which attacks grape vines.
The rest of Australia must spray to reduce losses due to the mildew.
Agriculture
WA ran a series of well attended seminars to inform regional viticulturalists
how to identify the mildew and what steps to take to prevent it
spreading.
Fortunately,
not a single case of downy mildew was reported in Margaret River
after a thorough inspection of the the young Spring foliage.
The disease
requires very specific rain and temperature conditions in which
to flourish, however it can be easily spread between regions on
cuttings, grapes vehicles, etc. For now, however, Margaret River
remains free of the disease.
