Resources
Manage
disease pressure
Minimise
fungicide use
Engage
with extension
AFREN brings together regional plant pathologists, fungicide resistance experts and communications specialists to develop and deliver resources for growers and advisers.
You can view and download our resources here.
Fungicide Resistance Management Guide
Your comprehensive guide to fungicide resistance causes, occurrences and management strategies, prepared by the AFREN team.
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE
(27MB PDF)
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE
(7MB PDF)
Ground Cover Supplement, January-February 2024
GRDC has invested in the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN) since 2019, led by Associate Professor Fran Lopez-Ruiz of Curtin University. This Groundcover Supplement showcases the achievements of AFREN thus far and shines a spotlight on new fungicide-related research underway at Curtin University’s Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM).
Click to download the supplement as a PDF, or read some of the articles below:
Tomorrow’s fungicides: gene switches and nanobots
New tools and techniques are being added to the fungicide resistance management arsenal.
‘Next-gen’ monitoring improving fungicide resistance detection
Like human diseases such as cancer, early detection and monitoring is crucial to keeping crops a step ahead of fungicide resistance.
Knowledge is power when managing fungicide resistance in pulses
Australian pulse production is threatened by the risk of fungicide resistance. Most crop species are susceptible to one or more fungal diseases and although breeding has developed some resistant varieties, there are still susceptible varieties grown which require more-frequent fungicide applications.
Fungicide resistance in Queensland: be alert
When the first map of fungicide resistance cases in Australia was compiled in 2016 by the research team at Curtin University’s Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM), led by Associate Professor Fran Lopez-Ruiz, Queensland remained a blank region on that map.
Fungicides available for Australian grain crops and their modes of action
Fungicides play a critical role in safeguarding Australian grain crops, ensuring healthy yields and maintaining food security. As one of the world’s leading exporters of grains such as wheat and barley, Australia relies on effective fungicide strategies to combat fungal diseases that can devastate crops.
Fungicide resistance – a mounting problem in Australia
Up-to-date fungicide resistance knowledge is key to managing the increasing number of crop diseases developing this resistance.
Preserving our fungicides
Fungicides belong to a range of essential crop protectant tools that also include insecticides and herbicides. Fungicides can be classified as contact or systemic. Contact fungicides remain on the plant’s surface and are also referred to as protectant or preventative...
Fungicide Resistance – Navigating the storm, January-February 2024
AFREN’s mandate is to help growers and advisers stay informed about the prevalence and management of fungicide resistance in their region.
Curbing the rise of fungicide resistance
The ‘Green Revolution’ and introduction of fungicides, while contributing to a pivotal advancement in grain production, is not without its challenges, foremost among them being the looming threat of fungicide resistance.
Blog Posts
Podcasts
A total of 12 podcasts are available in three series of podcasts.
All podcasts are available on the AFREN website or on most podcast streaming services.
Fact sheets
Two general fact sheets – on Fungicides in Australia and How Fungicide Resistance Develops – have also been produced.
Webinars
Videos
Three videos have been produced to help growers understand how fungicide resistance develops and how you can prevent it from becoming an issue in your cropping programs. The videos are available online.
Case studies
AFREN case study – blackleg Wimmera
The Wimmera has many cereal and pulse options, which facilitates the use of good agronomic practices such as allowing three or four years between canola rotations and separating new crops from previous seasons’ stubble. These practices should help keep disease pressure at moderate levels. However, blackleg can still be an issue in above-average rainfall years and for individual crops.
AFREN case study – blackleg lower EP
While Lower Eyre Peninsula canola growers have gained new fungicides for the control of blackleg, simply replacing DMIs with repeated or high frequency use of SDHIs could encourage new resistant strains of the pathogen.
Local growers and agronomists will be able to protect the long-term effectiveness of their new fungicides by strategically using these fungicides when they are most likely to result in an economic yield gain.
AFREN case study – net form net blotch
Barley growers on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula have seen how quickly fungicide resistance can turn from a potential problem to serious threat in the absence of good management practices.
Sam Holmes is an experienced agronomist in the region, where barley has proven to be a reliable and economically successful crop over many years.
AFREN case study – septoria tritici blotch
Tasmanian wheat growers enjoy a cool climate, relatively high rainfall and long growing season.
However, those cool, moist growing conditions lead to considerable disease pressure from Septoria tritici blotch (STB).
Recommended web resources
GRDC
GRDC Groundcover Supplement: Resistance in Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Issue 139: March – April 2019.
An overview of chemical resistance in weeds, pests and diseases. Largely in laymen’s terms, without compromising on depth or quality.
articles
online fact sheets
Principles of fungicide resistance
Paul Vincelli, Uni of Kentucky.
YouTube videos
Fungicide resistance
Bayer Canada.
Fungicide resistance management
Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC).
Events
FUNGICIDE RESISTANCE WEBINARS
AFREN hosts webinars at various times. Please check back regularly for updates, or view recordings of previous webinars.
23
July
Is it really resistance?
Wednesday 23 July 2025, 1pm AEST
Join NSW DPI plant pathologist Dr Steve Simpfendorfer for this AFREN webinar focused on disease in cereal and pulse crops. Could it be fungicide resistance, or are other factors contributing to symptoms? Learn signs of disease and physiological issues, and collecting samples for accurate diagnosis.
5
Aug
SOUTHERN REGION 2025 seasonal update
Tuesday 5 August 2025, 12:30pm ACST
Join Agriculture Victoria’s Dr Josh Fanning and SARDI’s Dr Hari Dadu for an update on fungicide resistance in the southern region. This webinar will provide advice on best-practice disease management and fungicide use.
6
Aug
NORTHERN REGION 2025 seasonal update
Wednesday 6 August 2025, 1pm AEST
Join NSW DPI’s Brad Baxter, Queensland DPI’s Dr Lisle Snyman and UniSQ’s Professor Levente Kiss for an update on fungicide resistance in the northern region. This webinar will provide advice on best-practice disease management and fungicide use.
7
Aug
WESTERN REGION 2025 seasonal update
Thursday 7 August 2025, 11:30am AWST (rescheduled)
Join DPIRD WA’s Geoff Thomas and Dr Andrea Hills for an update on fungicide resistance in the western region. This webinar includes practical strategies for disease management and fungicide resistance risk factors.
8
Aug
CANOLA 2025 seasonal update
Friday 8 August 2025, 1pm AEST
Join Marcroft Pathology’s Dr Steve Marcroft and Dr Angela van de Wouw for an update on fungicide resistance in canola. This webinar will provide advice on best-practice disease management and fungicide use.
29
Aug
Effective fungicide use
Friday 29 August 2025, 2pm AEST
Join Nick Poole, FAR Australia, for a practical webinar on optimising your fungicide program. Nick will unpack the principles of effective fungicide use including best-practice application, timing, rotation and dosage to improve disease control and reduce the risk of resistance.
WORKSHOPS: Mastering fungicide resistance management with AFREN: strategies for success
Join Nick Poole from FAR Australia for an engaging workshop hosted by AFREN, dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of fungicide resistance in our region. Gain valuable insights and participate in discussions on the latest management practices shaping the future of the Australian grains industry.
Nick will cover fungicide resistance topics aligned with GRDC's AFREN initiative. He will provide practical management strategies and advice on fungicide use in cereals, including product selection, application rates, and timings. Learn how to customise these strategies to effectively manage fungicide resistance.
There will be an opportunity to discuss diseases further with practical components including plants to examine, offering a dynamic perspective to build grower and agronomist confidence.
Take advantage of the chance to network with Nick and other attendees while enjoying complimentary refreshments.
Secure your spot today at this free, insightful workshop, supported by the GRDC-backed initiative, AFREN.
Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and contribute to sustainable fungicide practices in Australian agriculture.
More
info?
Contact us for an event
If you’re interested in having one of our team present an information session on fungicide resistance to your grower or advisory group, please get in touch.
We have regional pathologists in all states, and can deliver in person or online.