Blackspot Manager is an ascochyta blackspot forecasting model for field peas. It can be used by agronomists and growers to help identify the best balance between early sowing and potential yield loss from ascochyta blackspot. Predictions for 2014 indicate that across most of Victoria it would not be advisable to plant field peas during May.

Ascochyta spores are released from infected stubble early in the season. This can lead to significant crop losses when the emergence of early sown field peas coincides with spore release. Blackspot manager calculates a sowing date for when the majority of ascochyta spores (~60%) have been released from field pea stubble. In most years, this means field pea growers are generally advised to sow pea crops 2-3 weeks after opening rains so newly emerging crops can avoid the early release of ascochyta spores.

Blackspot Manager is produced by the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) and predictions are made for field pea crops in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia every two weeks between May and June. Blackspot Manager output cannot be accessed on the DAFWA website at the moment due to the recent website upgrade. However, it is expected the DAFWA web site will be up and running again soon.