In this section:
Olives
Olive diseases
Sustainable Pest and Disease Management in Australian Olive Production project
2000-2004
Contact: Barbara Hall
A joint project between the main olive producing states (New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland) was undertaken to study the diseases and pests of olives. The project was managed by Associate Professor Robert Spooner-Hart of the University of Western Sydney.
The project aims to provide growers with a clear picture of the pest and disease complex in Australian olive agroecosystems and an increased understanding of sustainable approaches to their control.
Districts throughout Australia were surveyed for incidence and severity of olive pests and diseases and their impact on production.
Symptoms and management of olive diseases and disorders (.PDF 139.4KB)
Common symptoms for known diseases and disorders of olives in Australia, with some suggested management strategies, prepared in 2005.
Diseases and disorders of olive fruit (.PDF 1.3MB)
A poster showing the effects/ symptoms of various diseases and disorders on olive fruit, prepared in 2005.
Diseases and disorders of olive leaves (.PDF 1.4MB)
A poster showing the symptoms of various diseases and disorders of olive leaves, prepared in 2005.
Diseases of olives (.PDF 2.6MB)
A poster showing effects of diseases including Verticillium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, Bacterial stem cankers and galls. 2005
Disorders of olives (.PDF 1.4MB)
A poster to help identify disorders of olives, including stem death, tip death, oedema, sphaeroblasts and clay panning. 2005
First report of Pseudomonas syringae on olives (Olea europaea) in South Australia (.PDF 203.2KB)
The first report of infection of olives with the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae was investigated and published in Australasian Plant Pathology, 32(1): 119–120 in 2003. The infection caused lesions and branch death but did not appear to be a widespread problem of olives in South Australia.
Olive Knot
Olive knot is a potentially serious disease of olives caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas savastanoi. Symptoms include rough galls or swellings of variable size that occur on twigs, branches, trnks, roots, leaves or fruit stems.
The first record of olive knot was identified in South Australia in 2003: The first report of olive knot caused by Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi on olives (Olea europa) in Australia (2004) Australasian Plant Pathology, 33:433-436. (PDF 3.3MB).
More information on the disease and protective management procedures, produced in June 2003, is available here as Olive knot information (html) (html version) or downloadable Olive knot information (.PDF 708.0KB). An information sheet on Olive knot produced in October 2003 (.PDF 297.5KB) reported that the National Consultative Committee on Exotic Plant Pests and Diseases (CCEPPD) concluded that eradication of the bacterium was not possible and state quarantine measures needed to be considered.
More information on the management of olive knot, including general management, pruning, chemical treatment, propagation and harvest, prepared in July 2004 is available here as Olive Knot Management (html) (html version) or in downloadable Olive knot management (.PDF 260.6KB).
Nematodes and Soil-Borne Diseases
Information about the plant parasitic nematodes and soil-borne fungal pathogens that have the potential for damage to olives in Australia can be found at Olive pests and diseases: nematodes and soil-borne fungi.
