Global Plant Protection News

Sunday, 08 January 2023 09:37:18

PestNet

Grahame Jackson posted a new submission ‘Aussie science tackling rusty plant threat’

Submission

Aussie science tackling rusty plant threat

AAP

When eucalypt-destroying myrtle rust was detected on a cut flower farm and in two nurseries north of Sydney 12 years ago, a major containment operation was launched.

Millions of dollars were spent but to no avail. Within months, the invasive fungus, identified by its bright yellow spots, had swept up the coast and been discovered as far north as Cairns.

It has since spread across the Australian landscape and now flourishes in bushland reserves, backyards, commercial operations, nature strips and park lands alike.

With the exception of South Australia, it’s infiltrated every state including Tasmania, as well as the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory.

Authorities agree myrtle rust is now endemic and cannot be eradicated.  

In South America, from where it originated, it’s relatively harmless. Not so locally, given that almost 80 per cent of Australian native trees belong to Austropuccinia psidii’s primary victim, the myrtaceae family.

Among 2000 Australian plants in total, the bottle brush, lemon myrtle, tea tree, lilly pilly, blackbutt and broad-leaved paperbark tree melaleuca quinquenervia are among its most vulnerable members.   

According to the Invasive Species Council, myrtle rust could eventually universally “alter the composition and function of forest, woodland, heath and wetland ecosystems”.

It says the incursion “is about as bad as it can get for biosecurity in Australia”.

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek agrees a co-ordinated response is needed.

Read on: https://www.aap.com.au/news/aussie-science-tackling-rusty-plant-threat/

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