Exotic fungal spores in the Australian Plant Biosecurity context

This project aims to define the relative likelihood of, and means by which, exotic fungal spore incursions on or in different carrier materials can occur by assessing common pathogen species in Australia and likely entry pathways and develop effective methods of decontamination of such infested materials. In Australia, the risk of inadvertent introduction of exotic fungal pathogen particularly by spores is increasing. Many of these exotic fungal pathogens pose a threat to our agricultural, horticultural and natural ecosystems if introduced into Australia e.g. Ug99. This research will improve the current understanding of the different entry pathways of fungal pathogens to Australia. The research project will specifically focus on the role of different materials as fungal spore carriers and their effects on spore survivability using common fungal spores as a model to develop and apply prototype tools to detect the contamination of carrier materials with exotic fungal pathogen threats, and develop effective methods of decontamination of such contaminated materials

Long-term viability of the northern anthracnose pathogen, Kabatiella caulivora, facilitates its transportation and spread

The conidia and resting hyphae of the northern anthracnose pathogen of Trifolium species, Kabatiella caulivora, were effectively carried by, and maintained long-term viability on, a range of materials, including metals, fabrics, woods and plastics. Conidia and hyphae became thick-walled and melanized with time. There were significant (P < 0.001) differences in conidia/resting hyphae survival between carrier materials and between temperature regimes. At 23 °C/8 °C day/night, conidia and resting hyphae remained viable on steel, corrugated iron, galvanized steel, all tested fabrics, wood and random mixed materials for up to 8 months. At 36 °C/14 °C day/night, conidia and resting hyphae remained viable for up to 8 months, but only on cotton, denim, fleece, silk, leather, paper, plastic and all wood materials. At 45 °C/15 °C day/night, conidia and resting hyphae remained viable up to 8 months only on fleece wool, Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah wood) and paper. There were significant differences between carrier materials in their abilities to retain conidia and resting hyphae after washing (P < 0.001). Metabolic activity was confirmed for conidia and resting hyphae recovered after 8 months and K. caulivora colonies successfully re-established on potato dextrose agar. Findings confirmed the critical importance of materials as long-term carriers of viable K. caulivora conidia and resting hyphae, highlighting the potential for spread of a highly virulent K. caulivora race within and outside Australia via farming equipment, clothing and other associated materials. Results also have wider biosecurity implications for the transportation of fungal-infested carrier materials previously considered as low risk

Extended survival of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici urediniospores: implications for biosecurity and on-farm management

Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), the causal organism of stem rust, is of global importance across wheat-growing countries. However, some epidemics commence without the obvious presence of ‘alternate’ or ‘green bridge’ hosts, suggesting urediniospores can survive in the absence of suitable host plants for many weeks. Testing a range of inert material types, including metals, plastics, fabrics and woods, highlighted a significant effect of material type and temperature on urediniospore viability (P < 0.001), with urediniospores remaining attached and viable on these materials (aluminium, paper, rubber, all fabric and all woods) for up to 365 days at 23/8 °C day/night. At 36/14 °C day/night, urediniospore viability was retained for a maximum of 300 days on denim and jute. Furthermore, at 45/15 °C day/night, urediniospores remained viable for a maximum of 180 days on cotton and jute. The frequency of recovery of attached urediniospores was also dependent upon the material type, with significant differences between materials in their abilities to retain urediniospores after washing (P < 0.001). Urediniospores recovered even after 300 or 365 days from the lower two temperature regimes successfully initiated infections of wheat seedlings. Results confirm the potential importance of inert materials as long-term carriers of viable Pgt urediniospores, highlighting risks of spread of new pathotypes and strains across wheat-growing regions, the significant biosecurity implications for contaminated carrier materials, and its likely survival across seasons without a host

Updating and amending systematic reviews and systematic maps in environmental management

Systematic reviews and systematic maps aim to provide an overview of the best available evidence to inform research, policy and practice. However, like any form of review, they will require updating periodically to ensure that the most recent evidence has been incorporated. Here we outline two types of review revisions as recognised in medicine: updates and amendments. Updates involve a search for new studies, expanding the evidence base through time. Any other change (e.g. in screening or synthesis) or correction to the original report is an amendment. Decisions as to whether/when it is appropriate to undertake an update or amendment must be made on a case-by-case basis, considering issues such as the reliability and scope of the existing review or map, likely volume of new evidence, resources available, and the likely value of including new information. Careful, consistent reporting is necessary to ensure transparency and repeatability, particularly where there are deviations from the original methods, and authors should highlight key advances relative to the original report. Updating environmental systematic reviews and maps will be an increasingly important activity as the numbers of both primary studies and synthetic reports in the literature continue to grow

Updating and amending systematic reviews and systematic maps in environmental management

Systematic reviews and systematic maps aim to provide an overview of the best available evidence to inform research, policy and practice. However, like any form of review, they will require updating periodically to ensure that the most recent evidence has been incorporated. Here we outline two types of review revisions as recognised in medicine: updates and amendments. Updates involve a search for new studies, expanding the evidence base through time. Any other change (e.g. in screening or synthesis) or correction to the original report is an amendment. Decisions as to whether/when it is appropriate to undertake an update or amendment must be made on a case-by-case basis, considering issues such as the reliability and scope of the existing review or map, likely volume of new evidence, resources available, and the likely value of including new information. Careful, consistent reporting is necessary to ensure transparency and repeatability, particularly where there are deviations from the original methods, and authors should highlight key advances relative to the original report. Updating environmental systematic reviews and maps will be an increasingly important activity as the numbers of both primary studies and synthetic reports in the literature continue to grow

First record of Pycnoporus on Paulowinia trees

Paulownia fortunei and P. tomentosa are currently being grown for high quality timber production in a number of private and public Australian plantations. The trees originated in China where they have been grown for many centuries, relatively free of disease. In the Mediterranean environment of Australia Paulownia appear to be more susceptible to infection by a range of pathogens. The wood-rot fungus Pycnoporus is a widely spread saprotroph, and is also used commercially for the degradation of lignin and other biotechnological applications (1). It has previously been identified on dead Paulownia trees and tree stumps (N. Malajczuk, pers. comm.). This is the first report of Pycnoporus cinnabarinus on living Paulownia trees. Preliminary results from a trial assessing potential fungicides for control of this pathogen are also presented

Root pathogens detected in irrigation water of the Ord River Irrigation Area

Expansion of the Ord River Irrigation Area in Kununurra, Western Australia is currently in progress, and subject to various environmental controls, including the implementation of irrigation tailwater management (recycling) systems. The aim of this research was to determine the presence of plant pathogens in the irrigation water in the irrigation area; and to ascertain what impact they could have if tailwater is recycled. Surveys were conducted during the 2010 and 2011 dry seasons to determine the presence of Phytophthora and Pythium species in the irrigation water and the pathogenicity of isolated species was assessed against two commercial crops – butternut pumpkin and chia. Several pathogenic isolates caused damping-off or distorted primary and lateral root growth. These preliminary findings demonstrate the presence of plant pathogens in the irrigation water, and the need for further investigation to assist with their management in the tailwater

Epidemiology of Alternaria blight of Paulownia

Paulownia trees are indigenous to China, where they are found in all regions from the sub-tropical south, to the plains and mountainous areas in the north. In Australia, a number of Paulownia plantations have been established in recent years as the timber is a valuable resource with strong export potential. The main species grown are P. fortunei and P. tomentosa. In Western Australia, major plantations have been established to the north of Perth, in a Mediterranean environment with irrigation and fertigation over the summer months. At some sites the trees are subject to strong winds that can cause significant physical damage to the large leaves, and sunscald also has a major impact on tree growth. In addition to abiotic factors affecting the health of the trees, foliar diseases are also present. Alternaria blight (1) and a phytoplasma-associated disease (2) have been reported, and other pathogens are regularly being identified. Here we outline some of the major findings from research being conducted on Alternaria blight of Paulownia in Western Australia

Planning for the Future: Introducing plant biosecurity activities into schools to increase Australia’s plant health capacity

Capturing the imagination o school children and developing their enthusiasm for protecting plants from pests is important to ensure Australia’s future capacity in science and plant biosecurity. Many national and international studies have demonstrated that unless children are introduced to science and related disciplines at an early age they are unlikely to pursue careers in these areas. It is also important that once they acquire an interest in science that this interest is nurtured, particularly through the teenage years. The Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity school education strategy aims to educate the next generation of scientists and science users. By portraying plant biosecurity and science in a positive and exciting manner to students from a young age, It is hoped that more students will be encouraged to pursue science as a career and, in the long‐term, fill some of the science, engineering and technology skills gaps. We have developed a variety of learning activities that are delivered through three key elements—’Plant Pest Investigation with Lily and Sam’, ‘Plant Pest Investigators’, and ‘Plant Pest Investigations’—that are aimed at pre‐primary, primary, and secondary school students respectively. This presentation will outline the various activities we offer, and the feedback from schools to date

Biosecurity What is it and who needs it?

How would Australian horse owners cope if they had to watch their horse being shot, burnt and then buried because it had a serious disease for which there was no cure? This is a very real possibility for everyone but one that could be avoided, or at least reduced, if those involved in the horse industry engage in biosecurity