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17 May 2011 - Australian native plant industries featured by Australia Post
Australia Post is featuring four of Australia's largest native plant industries: eucalyptus oil, honey, macadamia nuts and tea tree oil in a new stamp issue available on 17 May 2011. More »»
25 Jan 2011 - Myrtle Rust in Tea Trees
ATTIA Ltd sent seedlings of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea trees) to the CSIRO for host testing in mid 2010. The tests were positive. More »»
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PrintMyrtle Rust – Uredo rangelii
Myrtle Rust is fungal rust that infects most Myrtaceae – Australia has many native plants from this family – but since it is a new disease (first identified in Apr 2010 in Gosford, NSW) very little is known about it.
The CSIRO has conducted host testing on 100 + species finding 95%+ are susceptible. We know that Melaleuca alternifolia is susceptible from both CSIRO host testing and field observations. What we don't know is how it will affect production of Pure Australian tea tree oil in the future.
3rd generation (elite stock) Melaleuca alternifolia seedling infected with Myrtle Rust (Uredo rangelii)
Symptoms induced under experimental conditions only Images © Dr Louise Morin CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences
Closely related to Guava Rust (Puccinia psidii) which is the same as Eucalyptus Rust, P psidii and U rangelii both affect many Myrtaceous genera including Eucalypts (Eucalyptus & Corymbia spp) Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp) and Paperbark (Melaleuca spp), as well as many native Australian under-storey and amenity (ornamental) species.
Many scientists believe these are one and the same but there is reasonable evidence that, while certainly from the same family of Fungi, they are two distinct species. The biology and lifecycle of U rangelii is not well known yet – we are seeking a suitable qualified mycologist to assist us.
Myrtle Rust (MR), which originated in South America, was first identified in April 2010 on the Central Coast of NSW:
Apr 2010 MR first identified and reported to the National Management Group (NMG)
May 2010 Plant Health Australia (PHA) make a submission to the NMG to attempt eradication despite the probable low chance for success
Jul 2010 The NMG supports the Interim Response Plan (IRP) to attempt eradication
Aug 2010 MR found outside the quarantine area in NSW
Nov 2010 MR found in bushland in NSW
Dec 2010 NMG determine eradication impossible in NSW
Dec 2010 MR confirmed in QLD
Jan 2011 MR confirmed in 15 sites in QLD including parkland at Noosaville
The latest information is that MR has been found in Cairns & Townsville and confirmed in more than 828 sites in QLD; it is widespread in the "Red" zone of NSW.
Working closely with I & I NSW, ATTIA Ltd has produced a Biosecurity Manual to assist members control the spread of the pathogen. Please apply to join ATTIA here if you want more information and to be kept up to date.
ATTIA and I & I NSW have also produced flyers for printing and display or distribution. These are available HERE.
While much is still not known about the disease and its lifecycle has not been mapped, we do know from observations that:
- Humans, in particular nursery workers are prime vectors
- It can be spread by insects: like many fungal spores, honeybees (Apis mellifera) are attracted to the spore bodies, collecting them in the same way they collect pollen.
- Under the right conditions (warm & dry after a moist, humid spell) the spores become windborne and can spread many kilometres.
- Birds, bats, native marsupials etc are also vectors.
We also have anecdotal evidence that the spores can last up to 3 months until conditions favour germination.
Ideal germination is in dark, moist or humid conditions at around 20 Celsius. Strong sunlight appears to inhibit growth.
More information is available from:
- NSW DPI Website at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/myrtle-rust
- QLD DEEDI Website at: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/4790_19788.htm