Research has focussed on three sunflower pathogens. Powdery mildew continues to cause concern particularly in the late planted crops. Results of efficacy and timing trials using TILT 250EC indicate that one application at the 500mls/ha rate sprayed at the 5% ray floret emergence crop stage gives excellent control until physiological maturity under moderate powdery mildew pressure. Sclerotinia species infection has increased in incidence and severity over the past five years in a number of crops including sunflower. A pilot trial to investigate possible resistance in 24 hybrids and developmental lines has been planted in a highly infected site on the Darling Downs. Results are pending. The emerging disease phomopsis stem canker is increasing in incidence particularly on the Liverpool Plains (NSW) and following wet conditions. Intensive studies on the causal species in Australia have revealed that several species with a range of virulences are responsible although the exotic Phomopsis helianthi has not been identified. The newly described Diaporthe gulyae has been responsible for yield losses as plants lodge. Lower seed weights can also be a result of stem infection even without lodging. Early results of varietal screening of 30 sunflower lines have shown that maturity types may influence infection severity. Three new species have been described to date from this study with several others from a range of hosts including sunflower, soybean, mungbean, lupin and weeds still under investigation. Twenty years of low and zero till cropping practices where both crop and weed stubble remains on the surface or semi-buried has enabled multiple Diaporthe species to survive on dead and live hosts. In some instances weed stubble at single sites has yielded up to five Diaporthe species, some with multiple crop and weed hosts. Strategic burial of plant residues should be considered as a management tool to avoid pathogen survivial.