INCIDENCE ON POLYPOGON-MONSPELIENSIS OF CLAVIBACTER-TOXICUS AND ANGUINA SP, THE ORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH FLOOD-PLAIN STAGGERS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

During 1991-92, a survey was conducted in South Australia to determine the distribution of the nematode Anguina sp. and bacterium Clavibacter toxicus associated with 'flood plain staggers'. Polypogon monspeliensis (annual beardgrass) was examined at 265 sites in flood-prone areas in the South East. Seed-galls produced by Anguina sp. were observed at 96 sites, and at 78 of these, seed heads infected with C. toxicus were observed. Infected sites were observed throughout the survey area, with the greatest concentration between Naracoorte and Kingston. No infected Agrostis avenacea (annual blowngrass) was found in the South East or along the flood plains of the Murray River.