Myrtle rust Emergency response to an exotic incursion. Angus Carnegie & Kevin Cooper

Transcription

1 Myrtle rust Emergency response to an exotic incursion Angus Carnegie & Kevin Cooper

2 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

3 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

4 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

5 Taxonomy of the introduced rust 23 rd 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

6 Taxonomy of the introduced rust Historically: two morphological forms known for Puccinia psidii sensu lato (guava rust complex) Graça & Alfenas Roger Shivas Tonsured U. rangelii - Brazil - Jamaica - Argentina - Uruguay - Australia Graça & Alfenas Roger Shivas Echinulate P. psidii Type - Brazil - Jamaica - Trinidad - Florida? - Hawaii? J. Walker (1983)

7 Taxonomy of the introduced rust AC Phakopsora DQ Puccinia lagenophorae EF Puccinia saccardoi DNA sequence analysis (tef-1, ß-tubulin, ITS) revealed no distinction between Australian rust and P. psidii from numerous collections overseas (Brazil, Hawaii, Uruguay) EF Puccinia stylidii AF Melampsora lini DQ Phakopsora apoda EU 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 EU P. psidii Uruguay Eucalyptus grandis EU P. psidii Uruguay Eucalyptus grandis DQ Puccinia alpina DQ Puccinia malvacearum DQ Cumminsiella mirabilissima EF Puccinia poae-nemoralis EF Puccinia graminis DQ Puccinia perplexans DQ Puccinia actaeae-agropyri EF Puccinia triticina Carnegie, Glen & Mohammed (2010) 0.1 EF Puccinia agropyrina ß-tubulin

8 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 U T Roger Shivas

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10 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

11 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

12 Eucalyptus/Guava rust (complex) A key biosecurity threat to Australia

13 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

14 Emergency Response Stage 1 Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 April May June July August September October November December January 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 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

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16 Stage 1: - 25 sites surveyed - Nurseries, road-side plantings, native bush, gardens -Two teams of 3 survey officers -Two IPs detected

17 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

18 Emergency Response Stage 2 Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 April May June July August September October November December January 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

19 Stage 1 & 2 - outcomes Stage 1 Stage 2 April May June 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

20 IP1 IP2 IP4 IP3 IP5

21 Emergency Response Stage 3 Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 April May June July August September October November December January 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) 2 nd 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

22 Local Control Centre State Control Centre Structures under Chief Plant Health Manager Local Controller Kevin Cooper Biosecurity First Response Team

23 Emergency Response Stage 3 Quarantine Tracing Surveillance Containment & destruction Communication & community engagement

24 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

25 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

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27 Surveillance Surveys 100% of all Myrtaceae on properties Targets Traces back & forward All properties within m IPs Nurseries high risk, & non-traces Residential properties Bushland sites Outcomes Recent hazard reduction burns, road side verges, known locations of susceptible hosts, boundary of infection zone >1600 inspections; >1300 locations 600+ nurseries; 250+ bushland sites Interstate traces were negative 201 IPs

28 C u m u l a t i v e n u m b e r o f I P s Detection Stood Down Emergency response restarts Surveillance ramps up Austromyrtus Bushland - focus Weather changes Human-assisted transfer April May June July August September October November December Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 April May June July August September October November December January

29 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

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31 Communication & community engagement Industry & community groups Media 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 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 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 CCEPP, NMG, PHC, NBC

32 Stand Down - final 2 nd 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 22 nd December: not technically feasible to eradicate

33 Transitional Stage Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 April May June July August September October November December January Stage 4 live with it National Transitional Strategy being developed Overseen by Senior Biosecurity Officers Group Projects (Myrtle Rust Coordination Group) Funding? 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

34 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)

35 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?

36 Rhodamnia rubescens (scrub turpentine)

37 Bob Makins Rhodomyrtus psidioides (native guava)

38 Syzygium jambos (rose apple) exotic, amenity plantings DECCW

39 Syzygium jambos (rose apple) exotic, amenity plantings DECCW

40 Syzygium anisatum (aniseed myrtle) dried leaf, oil production DECCW

41 Melaleuca quinquenervia (broad leafed paperbark)

42 Host testing - Upon detection of the disease (May-June) Artificial inoculation of key forestry species and key guava rust hosts (Carnegie, I&I NSW) In situ at IP1 In a Biological Safety Cabinet Showed Eucalyptus spp. & Melaleuca quinquenervia are susceptible to myrtle rust

43 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)

44 Eucalyptus globulus Angophora floribunda Callistemon viminalis Tristaniopsis laurina Regelia velutina Chamelaucium uncinatum Louise Morin, CSIRO Melaleuca alternifolia

45 Acknowledgements Many people