Management of bacterial blight in walnuts
Project partners
Hort Innovation (Hort Frontiers)
Duration
2025-2030
Summary
Walnut blight — caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Xaj) — poses a significant risk to Australia’s walnut industry, with yield losses of over 80% possible in susceptible cultivars. Current control measures, mainly copper-based sprays, are becoming less effective, more expensive, and bring environmental challenges.
This new Hort Frontiers project aims to develop more sustainable, effective strategies to manage walnut blight and support the long-term future of the industry.
The project will focus on understanding resistance to copper and mancozeb, identifying promising new biological and chemical control options, and investigating how environmental factors affect the spread of the disease. The insights gained will help growers improve disease management, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen the resilience and productivity of walnut orchards.
AHR is leading this collaborative effort alongside Stahmann Webster, Duxton Nuts, and the University of Queensland – working together to deliver practical solutions for growers and the wider industry.
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