Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior development extension officer, Anne Shepherd, said that while the confirmed infection of this crop is disappointing, growers and agricultural consultants were well informed and well positioned to provide effective Ascochyta blight management advice.

Pulse Australia northern region development officer Gordon Cumming said Central Queensland could no longer claim to be AB-free, but remained a low risk location.

The first reported Central region outbreak was reported in the Dawson-Callide on August 22, which currently involves seven chickpea crops on five properties within the same district.

Mr Cumming said growers need to adopt suitable AB monitoring and control strategies in the coming seasons to ensure the region remains at low risk.

"This means ensuring that all planting seed is sourced from Central Queensland and that all seed – especially grower-retained planting seed – is treated with a registered fungicide seed dressing such as P-Pickle T or Thiraflo," Mr Cumming said.

Ms Shepherd said the industry's recommended response plan prepared in 2006 by DPI&F and Pulse Australia outlines the AB disease management strategy and has been rigorously adopted by the involved growers.

"Growers and industry consultants are to be congratulated for their quick response," Ms Shepherd said.

Ms Shepherd urged growers to remain vigilant and inspect all crops that are still green for the tell-tale AB symptoms reflected in leaf, stem and pod lesions.

The bulk of this year’s estimated 50,000 hectare chickpea winter crop is starting to hay off, which will make identification of the brown lesions on AB infected plants difficult.

"Any suspect or confirmed AB infected crops should be harvested last and none of the seed should be graded in Central Queensland or retained for future planting," Ms Shepherd said.

"Particular attention should be given to machinery hygiene during the harvest and equipment must be thoroughly cleaned before entering a new property."

* Suspected AB diseased plant samples should be placed into a sealed plastic bag and brought directly to the Biloela or Emerald DPI&F offices for identification. Growers seeking further assistance or an AB disease management brochure should contact Anne Shepherd on 4983 7420 or Col Douglas, pulse research scientist, Biloela on 4992 9112.