The project, which centres on researching the influence of the most important pests and diseases in the Javan sugarcane industry, and the development of appropriate management strategies to minimise their economic effects, has been very active during the last 12 months. A review meeting in December 2007 effectively set the scene for the project. Extensive preliminary surveys (over 930 individual crops) in western, central and eastern Java were undertaken between April 2008 and April 2009 by Indonesian research teams working in association with Australian sugarcane scientists. These preliminary surveys have provided foundation knowledge of the distribution of pests and diseases in Java and have also enabled a refinement of pest and disease monitoring methods. A large amount of information has also been collected during these surveys on bio-control species attacking the major borer pests. Subsequent more detailed monthly surveys are providing information on the ecology of the major pest borer species.
In the preliminary surveys, the incidence of the borer species (Chilo auricilius, Chilo sacchariphagus and Scirpophaga excerptalis) varied with location and site. There was a lower incidence of borers overall than anticipated, though high incidences were recorded at some locations; these generally being known highly infested areas. C. sacchariphagus was the Chilo species with the highest incidence, causing dead heart in young crops and extensive tunnelling in cane stalks in mature crops. Data analyses suggested this species was more common in irrigated fields. C. auricilius was found at higher populations in the wetter (higher) parts of the industry; C. sacchariphagus tolerates drier conditions. Of the three borer species, Scirpophaga excerptalis (top borer) is the most common causing a dead heart symptom in both young and older crops. This species was more common in factory-owned, rather than in farmer-owned crops. This is thought to be because individual farmers grow a diversity of crops, thus limiting populations. Other pest species, such as cane grubs, were of a more restricted nature.
Significant disease observations occurred in these surveys; two 'first disease' findings for Java were established - these were for the leaf diseases 'leaf scorch' (central Java) and 'target blotch'. Leaf scorch has been found previously in Indonesia but only in Sumatera and western Java. The disease has caused very significant losses in parts of Asia, including Taiwan and the Philippines; varietal resistance has been required in commercial crops in these countries to minimise commercial losses. The need for a resistance strategy for Indonesia will now need consideration. Target blotch has been identified in Papua New Guinea, but never before in Java. It is usually of lesser significance than leaf scorch. The preliminary surveys established the incidence of the major diseases yellow spot, orange rust, brown rust, mosaic, chlorotic streak and leaf scald. Leaf samples were taken during these surveys to establish the distribution of the three different viruses that cause sugarcane mosaic symptoms in South East Asia (sugarcane mosaic, sorghum mosaic and sugarcane streak mosaic); molecular assays are yet to be completed on the collected specimens. The first finding of chlorotic streak in some parts of the Javan industry was made during the preliminary surveys and the disease may be having a greater influence on the industry than previously recognised.
A review meeting was held in early April 2009 and all data considered and analysed by project scientists from both Australia and Indonesia. Methods for the detailed monthly monitoring of selected crops, to establish the ecology of the pest borer species, were established and this monitoring has now begun.
Project extension activities have already been initiated, even though detailed field data on pest ecology is only now being gathered. Work has begun on the proposed Indonesian sugarcane pests and diseases field guide; the content of the diseases section has been agreed on and the text translated into Indonesian. Work on the pest section has also started and planning is progressing; it is proposed to have the guide ready to use in association with extension activities in mid-2010. Immediately following the review meeting on Thursday 2nd April, factory staff from around Java were invited to an information meeting at the Indonesian Sugar Research Institute. At this meeting project activities were outlined, as was information on the major pests and diseases affecting the Javan sugarcane industry. Visits were also made to the Pesantren Baru sugarcane factory in central Java in order to view the borer biological control laboratories, but also to extend information to the sugarcane factory staff.

The project focuses on the following elements: i. identification of the most important pests and diseases of sugarcane in Java, ii. the development of improved IPM practices for these pests and diseases, iii. better extension of these practices to the sugarcane farming community, and iv. the development of additional resources to assist extension activities. The extensive general surveys conducted in 2008-2009, where over 930 individual sugarcane fields were surveyed (to determine both the incidence and severity of these pests in Java), has been followed by the selection of a much smaller number of specifically-affected crops for detailed monthly monitoring. This is enabling the ecology of the different pests to be studied in more detail to provide a better understanding of the most efficient management strategies that could be applied.
During the last 12 months, individual research experiments have also been conducted to further refine individual components of IPM strategies; these refined strategies will be integrated into the final project recommendations. A field experiment was established comparing application doses of the moth borer egg parasite Trichogramma; previously used release populations were compared with a higher release population. The results so far suggest previous recommendations were not optimal and will need to be changed. Sugarcane mosaic was found to be vectored in Java by the aphids Toxoptera citricida and Melanaphis sacchari. Molecular assay of commercial crop leaf samples has shown that over 80% leaves with mosaic symptoms are infected with sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSrMV); 3-5% are affected by sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). This is the first time the incidence of the different mosaic pathogens in Java has been quantified.
Training and project information meetings have been held in five factory areas, with total attendees being 185 people so far. Results from the project were outlined at each meeting and feedback gained from meeting participants. Participants responded to project staff on project outcomes as well as on information delivery in these workshops. Responses will be used to guide the nature of future meetings and also directions for the project. Extension materials under development include a sugarcane pests and diseases field guide. Considerable progress was made during the last 12 months and a first draft is nearing completion. This publication will be in Indonesian, to be printed on water-proof paper, of pocket size and to become available in late 2010. Electronic materials from the guide will be used to develop other extension materials, including pamphlets, brochures and Powerpoint presentations.
An annual review meeting was held at Botu in eastern Java in April 2010. All project results were analysed, presented and future directions decided. A report was prepared that also included a summary of other travel by Australian scientists within the last 12 months. Travel was undertaken by entomologists, plant pathologists, the desktop publisher and extension staff.

The project focuses on the following elements: i. identification of the most important pests and diseases of sugarcane in Java, ii. the development of improved IPM practices for these pests and diseases, iii. better extension of these practices to the sugarcane farming community, and iv. the development of additional resources to assist extension activities. General crop surveys (2008-2010) were followed by the selection of a small number of crops for monthly monitoring; this continued through 2010-2011 and provided a better understanding of the incidence, severity and ecology of the different pests.

In the last 12 months, research into improving IPM strategies as well as into the control of soil-based cane grubs has continued. A field experiment investigating application of the bio-control agent Trichogramma was carried into the first ratoon, with assessments made on the effectiveness of traditional application rates compared with a revised strategy. Control in an untreated check and an insecticide 'best control' treatment were used as a comparison. 'Traditional' applications were shown to be largely ineffective while a modified (higher) Trichogramma application gave better control; losses in the untreated control were up to 35% (tonnes cane). Top borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis) was the most damaging, followed by Chilo sacchariphagus and C. auricilius. These are key outcomes and will be used to formulate future IPM industry recommendations.

Molecular leaf sample assay from the original pest and disease survey was finalised during the period. The main pathogen leading to mosaic symptoms in diseased crops is sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV), accounting for over 95% of all infected samples, while sugarcane mosaic (SCMV) infected <5% of samples. Streak mosaic is widespread in Indonesia and requires more research, development and extension if losses from the disease are to be reduced. The recent detection of this pathogen in West Papua emphasises the need for the Australian sugarcane industry to act / prepare to attempt to prevent an incursion into Australia, or to be able to manage the disease in the event of an incursion. Knowledge of varietal resistance to the disease is a key issue.

Training has focused on a borer workshop, held in Rejo Agung Baru (May 2011) and a farmer field school (May 2011). In the borer workshop, topics covered were: i. Results from IPM research experiments, ii. quality control in rearing and mass release of Trichogramma, iii. recommended method for placing the biocontrol in the field, iv. how to identify borer damage, v. general information on diseases (including chlorotic streak) in the field. Twenty factory managers and R&D leaders attended. At the farmer field school, 40 farmers heard how the local 'champion farmer' was controlling sugarcane pests and conducting his farming operation. Other topics were: i. a presentation by a project entomologist on borer identification / yield impacts, ii. a presentation on the New South Wales sugarcane industry by the project extension specialist.

Extension materials being developed include a sugarcane pests and diseases field guide (currently at the printer).and two fact sheets on borer management. Travel to Indonesia was undertaken by entomologists and extension staff, while the Indonesian entomologist, pathologist and extension specialist visited Australia in July 2010.

There is very significant opportunity, and important reasons, to consider future project(s) related to sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV).