Our Services
Crown Analytical Services test for numerous important diseases in broadacre and irrigated cropping.
PreDictaB for Broadacre crops
CAS are SARDI’s preferred service agent for PreDictaB North, which operates in the summer cropping regions in eastern Australia north of Dubbo. As a service agent CAS arrange:
- the distribution of test kits to the consultant (and corers if necessary)
- ensure suitable sample protocols are followed
- PDF test report results are distributed by email or you can access direct via the PreDictaB Portal
- Any queries regarding the above process
Please Contact us for PreDictaB North Test kits
For growers in the winter cropping regions south of Dubbo please contact
Predicta B (broadacre) - PIRSA direct for the appropriate test kits.
Crown Rot and Nematodes in Wheat
Crown Rot (Fusarium pseudograminearum) and Root Lesion Nematodes (Pratylenchus thornei) are particularly damaging of wheat (and barley), especially on the alkaline clay vertosol soils of N NSW and S Qld. PreDictaB testing, using the correct Sampling Protocols gives and reliable indicator of the yield risk associated with planting wheat in that paddock at that time.
Cotton Disease
Verticillium Wilt in Cotton
CAS was instrumental in starting the service that enables cotton growers to test their soil for Verticillium Wilt. Using SARDI as our service provider, CAS:
- Collect GPS referenced soil samples using a consistent and reliable protocol
- Samples are sent to SARDI for qPCR DNA analysis
- SARDI extract the DNA and measure Verticillium Wilt inoculum expressed as pg DNA/g soil.
- Create inoculum heatmaps representing the intensity and spatial distribution of the Verticillium Wilt by Field and by Farm.
- Assist to generate Cotton Inoculum x Yield correlations and ultimately develop farm based thresholds as a predictive analytic.
- Use PCT to investigate other digital correlations using the Verticillium Wilt data layer.
Black Root Rot in Cotton
CAS was instrumental in starting the service that enables cotton growers to test their soil for Black Root Rot. Using SARDI as our service provider, CAS:
- Collect GPS referenced soil samples using a consistent and reliable protocol
- Samples are sent to SARDI for qPCR DNA analysis
- SARDI extract the DNA and measure Verticillium Wilt inoculum expressed as kcopies DNA/g soil.
- Create inoculum heatmaps representing the intensity and spatial distribution of the Black Root Rot by Field and by Farm.
- Assist to generate Inoculum x Yield correlations and ultimately develop farm based thresholds as a predictive analytic.
- Use PCT to investigate other digital correlations using the Black Root Rot data layer
Cotton Petiole testing for Nitrogen & Potassium
Nitrogen and Potassium are key nutrients for optimal irrigated cotton production. CAS offer a unique service whereby cotton petioles are collected by farm agronomists and will be testing in our Moree lab, 24 hours after being delivered and dried.
Results and a report, which includes the satisfactory readings by Day Degrees, are sent to the grower and consultant
Research and Development
CAS have run successful research projects for GRDC, CRDC, Cottoninfo, Cotton Seed Distributors, Metagen, Syngenta, AgNova, UniSQ plus others.
- RWI Disease Action Research Initiative:2022-2024
- CRDC Report Summary: CAS101: Using DNA diagnostics to monitor disease suppressive cotton farming systems.
- LRPB, Syngenta Crown Rot Tolerance x Victrato, Croppa Creek 2025
Inoculum x Yield correlations
CAS work with growers and consultants, to access cotton picker yield data to develop field and farm correlations between pre plant inoculum levels and cotton lint yield. Over time and with adequate data points, growers and consultants can develop their own inoculum thresholds once they determine the virulence of the pathogen and its spatial distribution.
Other digital data correlations with pre plant inoculum could include:
- Inoculum x NDVI
- Inoculum x disease incidence
- Inoculum x disease severity
- Inoculum x cotton lint quality
- inoculum x Yield x Nitrogen
Collaboration
CAS are an independent research body and therefore regarded as an excellent partner to generate reliable and objective data and offer meaningful interpretations.
