The Blackspot Manager Model is predicting a high risk of ascochyta blight in field peas due to little summer rainfall in field pea growing areas.

This has left a high number of blackspot spores waiting to be released when rainfall does eventuate in late autumn and winter.

Agriculture Victoria plant pathologist Luise Sigel said growers needed to prepare for a high risk of blackspot establishing in crop and should consider preventative actions to reduce the risk.

“Planting field pea crops at least 500 metres away from last year’s crop, delaying sowing where possible and treating seed will all help reduce the risk of infection” she said.

She said current Victorian blackspot forecasts for all regions could be viewed at the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s website.

Blackspot risk of infection is currently rated high in the Horsham and Hopetoun regions, and medium in the Edenhope region, with the recommendation that it is “too early to sow”.

According to a 2017 Grains Research and Development Corporation study into field peas, early sowing increases exposure to blackspot spores over a longer period.

The study also suggested delaying sowing four weeks later than the first rain.

However, early sowing might be possible if significant summer and autumn rains had fallen to release black spores from stubble.

Ms Sigel said soilborne disease tests were an effective method to determine the level of blackspot pathogens in the soil.

She also urged growers to use the Blackspot Manager Modelling service to help reduce losses from disease.

The Blackspot Manager provides growers with information to help them time their sowing to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.

Information on the Blackspot Manager website is updated every two weeks according to rainfall information.​