“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
Taxonomy of the introduced rust
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
Taxonomy of the introduced rust
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)
Taxonomy of the introduced rust
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)
Taxonomy of the introduced rust
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
Taxonomy of the introduced rust
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
Taxonomy of the introduced rust
“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 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4
April May June July August September October November December January
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
Emergency Response – Stage 2
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 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4
April May June July August September October November December January
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
Emergency Response – Stage 3
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
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4
April May June July August September October November December January
Structures under
Chief Plant Health Manager
Local Controller – Kevin Cooper
Sta
te C
on
tro
l C
en
tre
Lo
ca
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on
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en
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Biosecurity First
Response Team
Emergency Response – Stage 3
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
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of
IPs
Dete
ction
Em
erg
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esponse r
esta
rts
Surv
eill
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Weath
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changes
Bushla
nd -
focus
Sto
od
Dow
n
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4
April May June July August September October November December January
Austr
om
yrt
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
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4
April May June July August September October November December January
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…