The prevention and management of lupin anthracnose is the focus of a new Horticultural Development Company factsheet released to growers this month.

Lupin anthracnose is an important fungal disease of ornamental lupin crops, causing a variety of symptoms that not only impact on plant quality but can lead to plant losses through collapse and death. The new factsheet, produced following a request from the HDC Herbaceous Perennials Technical Discussion Group, provides information about the biology of the disease, typical symptoms and the prevention methods available to enable growers to keep the disease in check on commercial crops.

Steve Carter of Fleurie Nursery, who helped by inputting into the factsheet, said, “Any guidance that can help growers to recognise this disease and its symptoms is going to be invaluable for the industry. The factsheet offers practical ideas that can be adopted on the nursery to help growers combat lupin anthracnose problems.”

Factsheet 12/13: Lupin anthracnose will be distributed free to levy payers within the Hardy Nursery Stock sector or by emailing louise.arculus@hdc.ahdb.org.uk / 02476 6478661.