Managing Dieback 

Nursery Practice

The Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia (NIASA) is a national scheme run by the Nursery & Garden Industry for production nursery and growing media businesses which operate in accordance with a set of national 'best practice' guidelines. Any wholesale/production nursery or growing media/potting mix manufacturer in Australia can join NIASA if they implement the NIASA Best Practice Guidelines.

NIASA accredited businesses use a range of best practice techniques designed to minimise weeds, disease and to produce nursery stock of the highest possible standards. In production nurseries the techniques used to prevent Phytophthora dieback include:

• Clean water supply or sterilised irrigation water.
• Clean or sterilised potting media.
• Clean work area & equipment.
• Hard floors or free-draining hard rock floors.
• Raised benches for plants.
• Clean propagation material.
• Quarantine area for new or suspect plants.
• Regular testing for Phytophthora

For further information on the NIASA or to obtain a list of accredited nurseries please contact the Nursery & Garden Industry (08 9358 4811; www.ngia.com.au).

The Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme (AGCAS) is a national, industry managed scheme run by the Nursery & Garden Industry designed to raise the overall standards of garden centre retailing in Australia.

The accreditation process is structured to be a simple process that ensures an accurate assessment of the garden centre measured against industry benchmarks. In particular the accreditation scheme aims to provide the highest quality product, including one that is free of pests and diseases such as Phytophthora dieback.

For further information on the AGCAS or to obtain a list of accredited nurseries please contact the Nursery & Garden Industry (08 9358 4811; www.ngia.com.au).