NSW Agriculture is investigating alternatives to copper-based fungicides for use in organic farming systems and is calling for companies and individuals to come forward with information on alternative products that can control plant diseases.

The project aims to conduct a thorough review of literature on existing technologies that may replace or complement copper for plant disease control.

Dr Lukas Van Zwieten, a research scientist based at Wollongbar Agricultural Institute who heads up the project, said the end product would include a list of products available to the Australian organics industry.

"Copper has been used for centuries around the world to reduce pests and diseases," said Lukas.

"Its use in both conventional and organic agriculture has lead to copper accumulation in the soil, which has a detrimental effect on soil fauna, including bacteria, fungi and earthworms," he said.

"A diverse, abundant soil fauna has been shown to outcompete and exclude pathogenic organisms in many trials around the world. Measures should be taken to protect organisms that compete with pathogens."

Both in Australia and internationally, the use of copper-based fungicides is subject to restrictions in organic agriculture.

"This limits organic farmers’ ability to deal with crop diseases, especially when disease pressure is high."

"Organic producers urgently require alternatives to be identified, and ultimately scientifically-evaluated."

The project team is keen to investigate natural products, such as molasses, that "feed" the friendly micro-organisms and may control some fungal diseases.

Other strategies include the use of compost and compost teas, vermiculture products and microbial inoculants.

"These commercially-available products have been marketed to the organic industry as increasing soil organisms and protecting crops from pathogens," Lukas said.

"They may or may not have undergone independent, rigorous scientific evaluation, making it difficult for farmers to judge their worth.

"The reason some products are successful has not been satisfactorily identified. Further research may provide improvements in their efficacy."

The project is co-funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC). Plant pathologist Dr Melissa Van Zwieten is collecting the information regarding copper-alternative products.