The recently published research from Agriculture Victoria recommended new dry heat treatment conditions change from 40°C for 3 hours or 45°C for 1.5 hours to 50°C for 2 hours to better kill phylloxera.
Vinehealth Australia has reviewed the science behind this study and has now implemented this change to adopt 50°C for 2 hours for the Naracoorte Heat Shed. Please note there is now only one temperate by time combination in place rather than a choice of two.
Heat Shed Manager Sarah Bird from Sunbird Viticulture is aware of this new research and has made changes to Heat Shed procedures as a result.
The new dry heat treatment condition at 50°C for 2 hours is more effective against variations in the strains of phylloxera.
The new dry heat treatment conditions still require equipment to be free of plant and soil material before treatment, as phylloxera can survive if plant and soil is present even under the new treatment conditions.
Vinehealth Australia has also asked for the South Australian Plant Quarantine Standard (SA PQS) to be updated, which may take some time to implement. Once the SA PQS is updated, the new dry heat treatment conditions will apply to import equipment into South Australia.
However, the new temperature conditions are best practice and Vinehealth recommends implementing them if you are importing machinery and equipment regardless of when the PQS is updated.
For users of the Naracoorte Heat Shed where phylloxera control is not targeted, alternative heat treatment procedures can be used.
To make a Heat Shed booking, contact Sarah Bird on 0429 430 641.