The Foundation has been delighted to support some exciting work at UQ and now the team has published: “Exogenous double-stranded RNA inhibits the infection physiology of rust fungi to reduce symptoms in planta”. Go to the paper online here or go to the Projects page here and check out the various Myrtle Rust projects ..read more

A new report, led by Helen McGregor, Redefining Agriculture. The findings in this project offer insight into both the value and limitations of the community garden networks in Melbourne as a representative model for evaluating plant health education and engagement at a local level. Most notably the importance of a tailored, strategic, integrated approach to community engagement and education, and the opportunity to leverage existing and build new social capital within communities, to support positive biosecurity outcomes. The work also identified a number of areas for future investigation, inc ..read more

The Foundation is calling for nominations for new Non-executive Directors. As the Foundation enters a new phase with decisions about the future of it’s commercial investment approaching rapidly, the terms of 4 of our 5 Directors are expiring… want to join us and make a difference? Please email the CEO for further information or a Nomination Package at michael.robinson@apbsf.org.au, or ring on 0419992914. Further information on our Members and Governance can be also found on this website here ..read more

Geoff Pegg (QDAF) and crew have just finished a two-year study, concluding the impacts of Myrtle Rust on regeneration of native species following fire can be severe, leading to death of many species and potential loss of ecosystem function. Impact from A. psidii infection was identified on all species monitored as part of this study. Impacts ranged from minor leaf spotting, periods of shoot and foliage dieback to reshoot and whole tree death. Flowering was also impacted, particularly the Melaleuca species, M. nodosa and M. quinquenervia. The level of impact and the duration of infection differ ..read more

Project Leader Ian Falk, Indonesian Biosecurity Foundation Status Contracting Background This project focuses on plant biosecurity in Indonesia and Australia. Each of its four case studies examines different aspects of effective management of biosecurity so as to generate clear messages for end-users and decision-makers in both countries, aiming to inform a bilateral biosecurity action plan and associated activities. Each of the set out its implications for extension pathways. The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) was ratified on 5 July 2020.  From ..read more

Project Leader Mark Temple, Western Sydney University Status Active Background Myrtle rust impacts the flora and ecosystems across the east coast of Australia. Visual impact of the disease includes yellow spores on plant foliage, defoliation, death of plants and invasive with exotic plants. Through engagement with indigenous artists we will represent the impact of myrtle rust on native bush tucker and culturally sacred plants and landscapes, to increase awareness in both indigenous and non-indigenous communities. Indigenous cultures use spoken language, music and art to share knowledge. Throug ..read more

Project Leader Dr Anne Sawyer, University of Queensland Status Active Background Myrtle Rust Action Plan Objective 4.3 is to explore methods for resistance and control. In an earlier Foundation project (PBSF034) , we developed RNA interference (RNAi)vaccines that reduced myrtle rust infection on Syzygium jambos. We are on track to complete the project this year, with remaining experiments on RNA uptake/movement in plants and effectiveness of the RNAi vaccines on Decaspermum humile and Syzygium hodgkinsoniae underway. Our next step is to translate these findings to benefit Myrtaceae-based indus ..read more

Using an untargeted metabolomics approach, Michelle Moffitt and team from the University of Western Sydney identified a unique molecular fingerprint in A. psidii infected Melaleuca quinquenervia leaves during the early stages of infection. Further analysis of the metabolome at 24 hours and 48 hours after infection identified a unique subset of 19 metabolites that are unique to the resistant phenotype which may be important in the resistance mechanism and could be used as a defined metabolite fingerprint to detect the resistant phenotype during early infection. Future work c ..read more

A new report led by Dr angus Carnegie of NSW DPI has shown the potential of using new technologies in combination could save significant time and money for urban forest biosecurity surveillance. This study evaluated high-resolution airborne ArborCam imagery for tree species classification in a complex urban environment. An object instance segmentation of tree crowns was achieved using a deep learning CNN algorithm; one model for all trees; a second model running on Pinus and Platanus. These two dominant tree genera, Pinus and Platanus, were examined in a single local government area in Sydney ..read more

Geoff Pegg and his team have significantly enhanced the capacity to protect K’gari with a two year Foundation project. Working with partners from the Butchulla Land and Sea Rangers and Qld DES, the team also undertook valuable myrtle rust assessments, particularly following the devastating fires in 2020. Check out the fantastic work here including wonderful images ..read more