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Alternatives to Copper for Disease Control in the Australian Organic Industry
by Melissa Van Zwieten1, Gordon Stovold2, Lukas Van Zwieten1*
1Environmental Centre of Excellence, NSW Agriculture, Wollongbar.
2Centre for Tropical Horticulture, NSW Agriculture, Alstonville.
*Corresponding author
July 2007
RIRDC Publication No 07/110 RIRDC Project No DAN-208A
Executive Summary
What the report is about
Historically, copper has
played a significant role in organic and conventional systems for combating
some fungal diseases. More recently however, organic standards have limited
the use of copper for disease control, and it is clear that alternative
products and technologies are required to maintain productivity and profitability
of the Industry.
Who is the report targeted
at?
Organic farmers who would
benefit from scientific evidence of the efficacy of various ‘alternative’
products for pest and disease control. As well as manufacturers to encourage
research into relevant technologies.
Background
Organic farmers often make
use of ‘alternative’ products for pest and disease control. Their decision
to use these products is frequently based on anecdotal (as opposed to scientific)
evidence, as to their efficacy. These alternative products are usually
unregistered, or sold without sound data. The key limitation of alternative
products is that their efficacy of disease control, especially when compared
to registered chemical fungicides, is often lower. Thus commercialisation
and registration of these alternate products in conventional horticulture
is not undertaken. In addition, manufacturers of these products may view
the organic market as not large or profitable enough to warrant the expenses
associated with bringing these products to the industry.
Aims/Objectives
This project has investigated
the availability and efficacy of organically acceptable alternatives to
copper based disease control products both internationally and within Australia.
The report provides:
Methods used
The project involved a “National
Call for Expressions of Interest” to provide information on products available
in Australia. Twenty seven Companies or Individuals responded and were
interviewed regarding the use of their products. From the interviews it
became clear that many products and technologies are not being pursued
to commercial availability. Reasons for this included the strict registration
requirements in Australia, and the limited market for these products. In
addition, over 400 scientific publications were obtained that were relevant
to the report, with in excess of 300 being referenced.
Results/Key findings
The report ranks alternate
disease control technologies according to the number of refereed publications
and confidence/significance of the data presented. Three categories for
ranking technologies were chosen:
1) Technology highly relevant; 2) Technology shows promise; 3) Not enough information currently available.
Those technologies considered highly relevant for disease control include:
Those technologies that
show promise:
Those technologies where
not enough information is currently available
In addition to these
products that have been reviewed, other technologies including induced
and genetic resistance, cultural control and IPM are seen as highly relevant
to reducing disease in organic horticulture. These are discussed in the
report.
Implications for relevant
stakeholders
This report highlights technologies
into which there has been insufficient research conducted. The results
are relevant for scientists performing research in the organics industry.
Recommendations
Very little scientific evaluation
of alternative products is being undertaken in Australia, even though a
range of products and technologies claim to reduce plant diseases. The
authors of this report strongly urge better scientific evaluation of promising
products, and suggest the Organic Industry should investigate pathways
for bringing these products to commercial availability. This is likely
to include the requirement for licensing of the product through Australian
Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), part of the National
Registration authority (NRA).
 
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