“Myrtle rust” - Australasian Plant Pathology Society · PDF file–Provides the framework for managing Exotic Plant Pest (EPP) incursions –Cost-sharing (Government / Industry)

“Myrtle rust”

Emergency response to an

exotic incursion Angus Carnegie & Kevin Cooper

Outline

Australia‟s biosecurity system/process

Taxonomy of the introduced rust

Various stages of the emergency response

Conclusions / what we learnt

Current situation in the Australian environment

Australia‟s Biosecurity System

Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (“the Deed”)

– All government and some industry parties (2005)

– Provides the framework for managing Exotic Plant Pest (EPP)

incursions

– Cost-sharing (Government / Industry)

– Plant Health Australia (PHA): custodians

PLANTPLAN

– Technical response plan used by jurisdictions and industry in

responding to an EPP incident

– Provides nationally consistent guidelines for response procedures

under the Deed

– Outlines the Phases of an incursion response

– Key roles and responsibilities of industry and government

1. Investigation Phase: EPP detected, relevant organisations and

people notified (e.g. State CPHM, diagnostics)

2. Alert Phase: EPP identified, Australian CPPO notified, Consultative

Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP), determines whether

containment and eradication is technically feasible (and economically

justifiable), recommendation to National Management Group (NMG)

3. Operational Phase: Lead Agency implements and manages EPP

response, overseen by CCEPP; Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP)

4. Stand Down Phase: Follows success of emergency response

(eradication), of if not technically feasible to eradicate

CPHM: Chief Plant Health Manger in each State/Territory

CPPO: Chief Plant Protection Officer (Federal)

CCEPP: Technical committee – CPHM, CPPO, Biosecurity Australia, Industry representatives

NMG: CEOs of State Departments, President/Chairman of affected Industry bodies


23rd April 2010

– Urediniospores (asexual) with a tonsure (smooth patch)

– Uredo rangelii - no telial (sexual) stage described

• Member of guava rust (Puccinia psidii) complex

• Previously only known from two collections

(originally identified as Puccinia psidii)

– “Myrtle rust” to distinguish it

from eucalyptus/guava rust

Roger Shivas


Historically: two morphological forms known for

Puccinia psidii sensu lato (guava rust complex)

Roger Shivas Roger Shivas

Graça & Alfenas

Tonsured – U. rangelii Echinulate – P. psidii Type

- Brazil

- Jamaica

- Argentina

- Uruguay

- Australia

- Brazil

- Jamaica

- Trinidad

- Florida?

- Hawaii? Graça & Alfenas

J. Walker (1983)


DNA sequence analysis

(tef-1, ß-tubulin, ITS)

revealed no distinction

between Australian rust and

P. psidii from numerous

collections overseas

(Brazil, Hawaii, Uruguay)

0.1

AC188862 Phakopsora

DQ983208 Puccinia lagenophorae

EF570835 Puccinia saccardoi

EF570844 Puccinia stylidii

AF317682 Melampsora lini

DQ983197 Phakopsora apoda

EU487246 P. psidii Colombia Syzygium jambos

P. psidii Brazil UFV26 Psidium guajava

P. psidii Hawaii Metrosideros polymorpha

P. psidii Hawaii Melaleuca quinquenervia

DAR80678 Uredo rangelii NSW Agonis flexuosa

P. psidii Hawaii Syzygium jambos

P. psidii Brazil UFV8 Psidium guajava

P. psidii Brazil UFV3

P. psidii Brazil UFV1

P. psidii Brazil UFV9 Syzygium jambos

EU487247 P. psidii Uruguay Eucalyptus grandis

EU487248 P. psidii Uruguay Eucalyptus grandis

DQ983198 Puccinia alpina

DQ983199 Puccinia malvacearum

DQ983214 Cumminsiella mirabilissima

EF570827 Puccinia poae-nemoralis

EF570810 Puccinia graminis

DQ983223 Puccinia perplexans

DQ983222 Puccinia actaeae-agropyri

EF570812 Puccinia triticina

EF570831 Puccinia agropyrina ß-tubulin

Carnegie, Glen & Mohammed (2010)


July 2010 we started observing teliospores (sexual stage)

in the field

– Match the type description of Puccinia psidii

– Now common in NSW and Queensland collections

Roger Shivas

U

T


Teliospores: the rust should be referred to under a

Puccinia name

– Puccinia psidii sensu lato (in the broad sense)

Puccinia psidii complex (guava rust complex)

– Wide host range in Myrtaceae (111 species in 30 genera)

– At least 4 known biotypes (varying “pathogenicity” on a

range of hosts)

– South & Central America (Brazil, Jamaica), Florida,

Hawaii


“Myrtle rust”: A single strain (genotype) of Puccinia psidii sensu lato

– No variation observed at molecular level (microsatelites – Glen, unpublished)

• 8 loci identical to Hawaiian genotype

– Only tonsured urediniospores observed in Australia

Important we continue quarantine restrictions to reduce

chance of more strains (genotypes, biotypes) entering

Australia

Eucalyptus/Guava rust (complex)

A key biosecurity threat to Australia

Emergency Response - Stages

Stages of myrtle rust response

1. Detection, initial surveys, stand down

2. NSW Response (not under the Deed)

3. National Response (under the Deed)

4. Transitional Management (living with it)

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4

April May June July August September October November December January

Emergency Response – Stage 1

Stage 1 (Investigation & Alert Phase under PLANTPLAN)

– Rust detected by cut-flower grower 21 April 2010

• Central Coast NSW (Somersby Plateau)

– Identified as Uredo rangelii 23 April

– CPHM notified

– Initial surveys of IP1 (Infected Premises 1) 24 April

• Agonis flexuosa cv „Afterdark‟ (1,100 plants affected, many severely)

Syncarpia glomulifera (windbreak), Callistemon viminalis

– CPPO notified; CCEPP convened 27 April (more information needed)

– Surveys continued in area 28–30 April

– IP2 detected 28 April (8.5 km from IP1)

• Callistemon viminalis, nursery

– CCEPP re-convened 30 April, determined “myrtle

rust” not technically feasible to eradicate

– Stood Down 30 April



Stage 1:

- 25 sites surveyed

- Nurseries, road-side

plantings, native bush,

gardens

-Two teams of 3 survey

officers

-Two IPs detected

Stand Down….?

CCEPP reasons myrtle rust not technically feasible

to eradicate:

1. “Myrtle rust” likely to have been at IP1 for several months;

large spore load spread into surrounding native bush;

based on advice from rust experts and experience with

previous rust incursions (e.g. poplar rust, snap-dragon

rust)

2. Infected plant material had been sent to Sydney Markets

3. IP0 would be present (although not detected)

4. Efficacy of tools available to eradicate were limited


Stage 2 (Outside of the Deed/cost-sharing arrangements) - “Live with it”

– 1 May to 1 July 2010

– NSW agencies agree to continue containment & surveillance (I&I NSW)

• Developed Interim Response Plan with aim to intensify emergency response

• Forest Health/Research staff continue surveillance (two teams of two)

• Growers/owners conduct fungicide operations (no formal quarantine notices)

– 3 May, National Biosecurity Committee (NBC) convened to develop National

Management Plan for Myrtle rust (under Plant Health Committee, PHC) to

identify immediate and longer term management actions & research:

• Clearly distinguish U. rangelii and P. psidii

• Assess impact in native environment

• Host testing

• Determine potential geographic spread

– 6 May, Plant Health Australia request CCEPP to reconsider decision,

and also support NSW in suppression and surveillance activities



Stage 1 & 2 - outcomes

Surveillance & Containment (Stage 1 & Stage 2)

– 85 site inspections (multiple visits, including IPs)

– 55 properties

– Five IPs detected

• Four with only small number of plants

• Destruction of host material at IP2 to IP5 (too many at IP1)

• Fortnightly fungicide application

• Not detected outside nursery/cut-flower

– Some tracing work from/to IPs

Stage 1 Stage 2

April May June

IP1

IP4

IP2

IP3

IP5


Stage 3

– Observations from Stage 1 & 2:

• Limited spread (five IPs)

• Limited number of hosts (still on three)

• Not found in native bush

• (and good containment/control on IPs)

= rust had not behaved as expected (not spread far & wide)

– 2nd July, NMG agreed Interim Response Plan (I&I NSW)

• Attempt to suppress & contain the rust with long-term view to

eradication; allow time to gain additional knowledge

– Back under the Deed, PLANTPLAN



Structures under

Chief Plant Health Manager

Local Controller – Kevin Cooper

Sta

te C

on

tro

l C

en

tre

Lo

ca

l C

on

tro

l C

en

tre

Biosecurity First

Response Team


Quarantine

Tracing

Surveillance

Containment & destruction

Communication & community engagement

Quarantine

Quarantine Area declared 3 August

– Movement of Myrtaceae

prohibited unless met

specified conditions

– Regulatory Inspectors

– Accredited under I&I NSW

Certification Assurance

– Quarantine notices on IPs

• High risk (6+ weeks)

• Low risk (2 weeks)

– Re-trade once free of rust

on condition of ongoing

fungicide regime and

fortnightly inspections

Tracing

Tracing

– Plants (High risk: Austromyrtus, Agonis)

– Nursery staff

– High risk people movements – bush regeneration staff

Outcomes

> 20,000 traces assessed and processed

– All infected nurseries were traced to plant movements

and/or high risk staff movements

– Most infected bushland sites traced to bush regeneration

personnel

• Anthropogenic movement

Surveillance

Surveys

– 100% of all Myrtaceae on properties

Targets – Traces – back & forward

– All properties within 500-1000 m IPs

– Nurseries – high risk, & non-traces

– Residential properties

– Bushland sites

• Recent hazard reduction burns, road side verges, known locations of susceptible

hosts, boundary of infection zone

Outcomes >1600 inspections; >1300 locations

600+ nurseries; 250+ bushland sites

Interstate traces were negative

201 IPs

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

April May June July August September October November December

Cu

mu

lati

ve

nu

mb

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of

IPs

Dete

ction

Em

erg

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esponse r

esta

rts

Surv

eill

ance r

am

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Weath

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changes

Bushla

nd -

focus

Sto

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Austr

om

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us

Human-assisted transfer

Containment & Destruction

Fortnightly fungicide on all Myrtaceae at IPs

Plant destruction

– Infected plants plus those in the same “batch” were

treated and destroyed

– Some IPs had ALL Myrtaceae destroyed

– >16,000 plants destroyed

– Reimbursement paid to growers

Communication & community engagement

Industry & community groups

Industry groups (hubs for distribution of information) 32

Industry consultants (hubs for distribution of information) 16

Wildflower exporters 3

Government contacts (including local government) 28

Growers - nurseries and cut flower 43

Interest groups (hubs for distribution of information) 3

Lobby groups (hubs for distribution of information) 2

Educators 5

Wholesale nurseries 6

Email contact list 163

Australian Association of Bush Regenerators , Australian Flower Export Council, Australian Herb and Spice Industry Association , Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers, Australian Native Flower Growers & Promoters, Australian Tea Tree Industry Association, Blandfordia Research and Extension Group, Ecological Consultants Association of NSW, Environmental Consultants Association, Flora International, Flower Association of QLD, Flower Export Council of Australia, Flower Growers Group of NSW, Flowers Victoria, Grandiflora Growers Network, International Society of Arboriculture, Landscape Contractors Association of NSW and ACT, Local Government Tree Resources Association, National Arborist Association of Australia, National Association of Landscape Professionals, Native Flower Growers’ Association (mid north coast) , NE Victorian Wildflower Growers Group, Nursery and Garden Industry of Australia, Nursery and Garden Industry of NSW and ACT, Professional Florists Association of NSW, Queensland Arboricultural Association, Tree Contractors Association of NSW, Tube Stock Growers Group, Wildflower Industry Network , Wildflowers Australia, Sydney Markets, Sydney Botanic Gardens , ASGAP and Banksia Study Group, Australian Native Plants Society, Invasive Species Council, NSW Farmers, Charles Sturt University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland

ABC Country Hour, Weekly Times (Victoria), ABC Central Coast Radio , ABC New Castle, ABC radio news Sydney, Central Coast Advocate, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald, 2GO Gosford, 2EL Orange, 2TM Tamworth, 702 Sydney, Saturday gardening segment, ABC North Coast Radio Rural Report, The Land, Gardening Australia TV and magazine, Northern Star, Lismore, Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth Great Lakes Advocate, ABC Radio Bush Telegraph, Echo News (far north coast newspaper), 2UE gardening program, Stock and Land, Queensland, Horticulture industry publications

Media

CCEPP, NMG, PHC, NBC

Stand Down - final

2nd December CCEPP reviewed status of the rust

– Increasing host range

– Spread beyond Central Coast:

• Large number of domestic, commercial, public & recreational sites

• Native vegetation and forests

– Wind-borne spread

– Recomendation to NMG

NMG 22nd December: not technically feasible to

eradicate

Transitional Stage

Stage 4 – “live with it”

National Transitional Strategy being developed

– Overseen by Senior Biosecurity Officers Group

– Projects (Myrtle Rust Coordination Group)

• Coordination & communication (community & industry engagement)

• Disease management (domestic quarantine, market access)

• Taxonomy (morphology, DNA, P. psidii complex, quarantine)

• Impact (environment, industries, community)

• Chemical control

• Host testing & resistance breeding



Funding?

Conclusions – what we learnt

Common name – “myrtle rust”

– Some confusion

Systematic & structured response (PLANTPLAN)

– Works well

Ensure appropriate resources available (priority)

– Especially in early stages of response

Industry needs to be better prepared for incursions

– Confusion with their role, responsibilities

Training in biosecurity management & awareness

– Industry & government staff; essential

Appropriate length for Investigation and Alert phase (before

decision is made to proceed or stand down)

– 5 year Deed review (PHA)

Current situation

Widespread Sydney to Noosa

85+ known hosts from surveys

Major impacts already being observed

– Native species

• Rhodamnia rubescens, Rhodomyrtus psidioides

– Amenity plantings

• Syzygium jambos

– Commercial plantations

• Lemon myrtle, Aniseed myrtle

– Nursery/garden

• Austromyrtus, Agonis

• Myrtaceae now has a bad name

– Commercial operators looking for alternatives

– Bush regenerators…?

Rhodamnia rubescens

(scrub turpentine)

Rhodomyrtus psidioides

(native guava)

Bob Makinson

Syzygium jambos

(rose apple) – exotic, amenity plantings

DECCW

Syzygium jambos

(rose apple) – exotic, amenity plantings

DECCW

Syzygium anisatum

(aniseed myrtle) – dried leaf, oil production

DECCW

Melaleuca quinquenervia

(broad leafed paperbark)

Host testing - Upon detection of the disease (May-June)

Artificial inoculation of key forestry species and

key guava rust hosts (Carnegie, I&I NSW)

Showed Eucalyptus spp. & Melaleuca quinquenervia are

susceptible to “myrtle rust”

In situ at IP1 In a Biological Safety Cabinet

Host testing

5.3 Host range testing (Louise Morin, CSIRO; I&I NSW)

– Controlled conditions in QC3 facility

– Phylogenetic approach (covering all tribes in Myrtaceae)

– Input on species list from industry, environment, response

– 5 plants per test, repeated once

– Tested >106 species (35 genera)

– 95+ species “susceptible” (30+ genera)

Eucalyptus globulus Angophora floribunda

Tristaniopsis laurina Regelia velutina

Melaleuca alternifolia

Callistemon viminalis

Chamelaucium uncinatum

Louise Morin, CSIRO

Acknowledgements

Many people…

Documents

“Myrtle rust” - Australasian Plant Pathology Society · PDF file–Provides the framework for managing Exotic Plant Pest (EPP) incursions –Cost-sharing (Government / Industry)