Exchange - Plant Biosecurity CRC

STATE

Science Exchange 2018 PLANT BIOSECURITY CRC STATE SCIENCE EXCHANGE SERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA | SOUTH AUSTRALIA | NEW SOUTH WALES | QUEENSLAND

6–15 February 2018

CRC PLANTbiosecurity

BIOSECURITY BUILT ON SCIENCE, FOR AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT www.pbcrc.com.au @PBCRC #SX18

Contents WELCOME 4 PRESENTATION SUMMARIES AND SPEAKER PROFILES Dr Michael. Robinson CEO Plant Biosecurity CRC

ENHANCING SURVEILLANCE

5 5

6

Dr Kelly Hill South Australian Research and Development Institute: Developing tools for in-field surveillance of pathogens (2112)

6

Dr Rohan Kimber South Australian Research and Development Institute: New tools for field grains surveillance (2014)

7

Dr Brian McCornack Kansas State University: Optimising surveillance protocols using unmanned aerial system (2135)

7

Dr Michael Renton University of Western Australia: Design and evaluation of targeted biosecurity surveillance systems (2110)

8

Ryan Schmid Kansas State University PBCRC (PhD student): Smart-trap design and deployment strategies (62066) 8 Dr John Weiss Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources: Enhanced surveillance strategies in horticultural industries based on knowledge of natural dispersal pathways (1031) 9 Dr Linda Zheng Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Victoria: New tools for field grains surveillance (2014)

9

DIAGNOSTICS 10 Dr Roberto Barrero Murdoch University: Internet based bioinformatics toolkit for plant biosecurity diagnosis and surveillance of virus and viroids (2064)

10

Dr Fiona Constable Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources: International acceptance of Australian solanaceous and cucurbit seed tests (2148) 11

FRUIT FLY

Prof YongLin Ren Murdoch University: Deployment of nitrogen technology and development of nitrogen/phosphine combinations for the management of grain storage pests and grain quality (3099)

HORTICULTURE AND VITICULTURE Suzanne McLoughlin Vinehealth Australia: On-farm DNA Surveillance (2061)

SOCIAL BIOSECURITY

14

15 15

16

Dr Suzy Perry & Dr Rebecca Laws Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries: Better biosecurity risk management through collaborative planning and shared decision making (4115)

16

Dr Cathy Robinson CSIRO: Building collaboration in biosecurity innovation systems (4004)

17

Thi Tam Duong Charles Darwin University: Perceptions and behaviours towards biosecurity risks across Vietnamese farming communities in Australia (PhD 64139)

17

STRENGTHENING BORDER BIOSECURITY

18

Dr Kylie Ireland CSIRO: Pathways and Risk Assessment Framework for High Impact Species (PRAFHIS) (1109)

18

Dr Paul Mwebaze & Dr Petra Kuhnert CSIRO: A risk-return prioritisation tool for global trade inspections (1108)

19

INCURSION RESPONSE

Dr Toni Chapman New South Wales Department of Primary Industries: Deployment of validated genome-informed bacterial diagnostics (2002 – 2156) 11

Dr Brendan Rodoni Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources: Psyllid microflora- Implications for Liberibacter disease surveillance and pest control (PhD 62116)

GRAINS 14

20

Associate Professor Ben White University of Western Australia: With the benefit of hindsight: a bioeconomic analysis of past pest incursions (1033)

20

Dr Grant Hamilton Queensland University of Technology: Decision making for eradication and quarantine zones (2100)

21

MYRTLE RUST

22

Laura Fernandez Winzer PBCRC (PhD) (62117): Managing myrtle rust and its impacts on Australia’s unique biodiversity (2063)

22

12

13

Dr Paul Cunningham & Dr Kevin Farnier Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources: Continuing development of a female Q-fly lure: improved lure formulation and field evaluation (3152) 13

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State Science Exchange 2018 | Program 3

Plant Biosecurity CRC State Science Exchanges 2018 As the Plant Biosecurity CRC enters its final months of operation our attention is firmly focused on project completion and ensuring that our research outputs are delivered and readily available to the people and organisations who are end users and beneficiaries. As part of our commitment to impact, the CRC is hosting four one-day State Science Exchanges (State SXs) in February 2018 as part of the lead up to our National Science Exchange, the final delivery event and celebration for the CRC in May 2018. Each State SX brings our research teams together with the state government (policy and programs), industry and regulatory staff who work in biosecurity. The State SX Programs have been developed in collaboration with government representatives to ensure they address the priority biosecurity issues for each state. Topics covered include the latest advances in surveillance technologies and diagnostics, understanding the vectors and natural processes which drive pest arrival and distribution, and insights into how to more effectively engage with biosecurity stakeholders, as well as focus topics for each state such as grains surveillance, the latest findings on fruit fly control and phylloxera management in wine grapes. State SXs are being held in Perth, Western Australia (6 February); Adelaide, South Australia (7 February); Sydney, New South Wales (14 February) and Brisbane, Queensland (15 February). With the future of national plant biosecurity in mind, and in recognition of over twelve years of dedicated plant biosecurity research, the Plant Biosecurity CRC will host its final National Science Exchange, in Melbourne, Victoria, from 29 – 31 May 2018. The National SX will showcase the impact of the CRC’s research, celebrate the outcomes which have been achieved, thank all who have supported the CRC and participated, and assist in mapping the future research priorities in biosecurity. Attending the National SX will be valuable for government policy makers, program managers and regulators, industry groups, motivated growers, and researchers. We thank you for your participation in this State SX and extend a warm welcome to you to attend the National Science Exchange. For more information please contact Anwen Lovett ([email protected]) or [email protected].

THE PLANT BIOSECURITY COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE

NATIONAL

Science Exchange

BIOSECURITY BUILT ON SCIENCE, FOR AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

2018 29-31 May 2018 RACV City Club Melbourne, Victoria


www.pbcrc.com.au/science-exchange-2018

4 State Science Exchange 2018 | Program

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Dr Michael. Robinson CEO Plant Biosecurity CRC

PRESENTATION SUMMARIES AND SPEAKER PROFILES

Dr Michael Robinson joined the Plant Biosecurity CRC as Chief Executive Officer in the first year of operation. He has extensive experience in leadership, management and research through his roles as: • Executive Director of Land & Water Australia • Chair of the National Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries • Chief Executive Officer of the CRC for Greenhouse Accounting • Inaugural CEO of FROGTECH (and Frogtech NZ), a private research enterprise specialising in geological reconstructions • Inaugural Director, Primary Industries Climate Challenges Centre, which he established as a joint centre between the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries in 2010 • Non-Executive Director of the Cotton Research and Development Corporation • Non-Executive Director of the Cooperative Research Centres Association Michael completed his PhD with CSIRO and the University of Melbourne in 1999, on the sustainable use of wastes to fertilise plantation forests. He has worked in research, communication, business development and policy in both Australia and New Zealand.

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Dr Kelly Hill South Australian Research and Development Institute: Developing tools for in-field surveillance of pathogens (2112)

Presentation summary

ENHANCING SURVEILLANCE

The team developed a diagnostic surveillance probe, known as an aptamer, which is capable of detecting molecules associated with rust spores without the need to extract nucleic acids as part of the diagnostic. Progress has been made towards a fibre optic platform capable of using those probes to detect the rust spores in a flowthrough system in real-time. Development of such a platform aims to move this diagnostic capability onto a system that could work autonomously as part of a spore trapping device. Spore detection without disruption increases the field suitability of this probe. Aptamers are ssDNA or RNA molecules that can be developed to bind to s specific target, much like an antibody-antigen interaction. They have advantages over other detection methods e.g. less information is needed about the target to develop the diagnostic; DNA extraction or sequencing is not required as part of the diagnostic; there is opportunity to customize the specificity and reportability of the detector molecules; chemical synthesis of aptamers means more cost effective production for a commercial product; and increased stability.

Impact Our team is the first, to our knowledge, to apply this technology to the detection of rust spores, and shows that the development of rust aptamers is possible but optimising sensitivity and specificity is required for biosecurity applications. Without this optimisation, application may be limited to a higher taxonomic level of identification and larger spore numbers. The research is of particular value for diagnostic researchers, pathologists and biosecurity officers. While our focus has been on rust spore targets, the technology can be applied to other pathogens, and aptamers have previously been reported targeting bacterial and viral pathogens. Our innovation lies in the recognition technology used to identify the fungal spore species and the integration of this technology into a platform capable of real-time monitoring of that detection event. Aptamers offer greater stability, which is crucial for in-field applications, and achieving a cost-effective surveillance system.

Research partners SARDI and University of Adelaide

Speaker profile Dr Kelly Hill is a molecular biologist working with both the entomology and the plant pathology groups within SARDI located at Urrbrae, South Australia. Kelly completed her PhD through the University of Adelaide and CSIRO in 2009 working in the area of assay and biosensor development focussed on a group of physiologically and pharmacologically important human cell surface receptors. Since then, Kelly has worked on a number of projects at SARDI ranging from insect olfaction to fungal diagnostics. Kelly’s main research is in the area of novel bio-recognition molecules for use in biosensor development for applications in the agriculture industry. [email protected]


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Dr Rohan Kimber South Australian Research and Development Institute: New tools for field grains surveillance (2014)

Dr Brian McCornack Kansas State University: Optimising surveillance protocols using unmanned aerial system (2135)



Exotic pests and pathogens pose a serious biosecurity threat to the Australian grains industry. Soil-borne viruses are of particular concern, with the potential to cause severe losses in cereal crops. Once contaminated with viral spores the soil cannot be used to grow conventional wheat for at least 20 years. There are few effective, scientifically validated methodologies for detecting such destructive insect pests and plant pathogens, leaving producers and our lucrative grain market highly vulnerable.

Pest and disease detection is particularly challenging when managing crops that extend for 100s or 1000s of hectares. More efficient, targeted and accurate monitoring over such vast distances offers enormous benefits in terms of monitoring and early detection of pests. This project is has investigated the application of sUAS to detect and monitor high priority in-field plant biosecurity threats.

Building on outputs of the CRCNPB this project developed a) new monitoring devices compatible with rapid diagnostic tools to enable effective pest surveillance, such as the Mobile Jet Spore Sampler and b) a suite of molecular diagnostic tests for rapid detection of high priority exotic grains pests in the field. The molecular diagnostic tests can be used by Post Entry Quarantine facilities to improve confidence in detecting three types of viruses transmitted by the soil-borne fungus Polymyxa graminis in winter cereals and for seed-borne viruses (bymoviruses, furoviruses, hordeiviruses and pecluviruses). These protocols have been submitted to the Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostics for national endorsement in Australia and to the International Plant Protection Convention for adoption globally. The Mobile Jet Spore Sampler diagnostic tool collects air-borne fungal samples at 45 time’s greater efficiency than current sampling approaches, allowing area-wide surveillance of grain pests over a broader region through smart sampling technology.

Impact The suite of tools developed through this project can be applied to all Australian cropping regions providing early warning of exotic plant pests and averting the serious economic and reputational consequences of an incursion. Early detection also avoids the lost production and recovery time that is inevitable following an incursion of an exotic pest. The tools act as a form of insurance for the grains industry, which worth approximately $14 billion at the farm gate in 2014-2015. Use of the diagnostics in world grain seed distribution centres could avert the potential distribution of contaminated seed internationally.

By combining modern digital photography with sUASs, agricultural producers and consultants will have the capacity to detect pest insects and diseases before outbreaks occur. The technology is applicable across scales (plant-paddock-region), can monitor across a range of host plants (e.g. wheat, vineyards, orchards) and in diverse environments. Targets pests including sugarcane aphid, yellow stripe rust, and myrtle rust were used to develop a generalized decision matrix to direct biosecurity surveillance programs to better predict the likelihood of pest presence and potential areas for surveillance. The matrix can be applied to other pests.

Impact Effective and efficient biosecurity surveillance programs, and pest management in general, require increasingly sophisticated, affordable technical solutions with high levels of automation. This research is a significant contribution to understanding the utility of aircraft technologies for pest surveillance. Reliable and affordable sUAS technologies are valuable tools for government and industry agencies involved in the planning and conduct of surveillance over both large crop production areas and/or inaccessible natural environments. Benefits include a more targeted approach surveillance, reductions in sampling time or improved efficiency of sampling (e.g. equivalent sampling durations but targeted to areas most at risk), which equates to cost-savings, more effective use of resources (people, equipment), and the avoided costs of control or lost production.

Research partners Kansas State University, QLD University of Technology, QLD Government, NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Research partners

Speaker profile

SARDI, Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport, and Resources, Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Grains Research and Development Corporation

Dr Brian McCornack is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University. He leads an integrated research program that facilitates the discovery and application of tangible solutions to emerging pest issues, including endemic and invasive species. Primary interests include the development of ecological, as well as economical, management strategies for arthropods at a landscape scale. He has developed a range of IPM tools for use on large commercial farms. Other interests include assessing the impacts of expanding biofuel crop production on ecosystem services like pollinators and biological control agents. [email protected]

Speaker profile Dr Rohan Kimber is a Research Scientist in Plant Health and Biosecurity based within the Pulse and Oilseed Pathology Laboratory at SARDI. He has 20 years’ experience in this discipline including research projects in both pulse and cereals crops. Dr Kimber has significant research experience in epidemiology and integrated disease management of airborne fungal diseases of pulse crops and is actively engaged in research on new technologies for more effective surveillance of airborne pest and diseases to broad-acre crops. [email protected]

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Dr Michael Renton University of Western Australia: Design and evaluation of targeted biosecurity surveillance systems (2110)

Ryan Schmid Kansas State University PBCRC (PhD student): Smart-trap design and deployment strategies (62066)



Building on biological spread and species biology tools created in CRCNPB, this project has developed generalizable statistically-based methods for evaluating surveillance designs and applied them to specific potato cyst nematode, phylloxera and fruit fly case studies. The project has revealed the importance of:

The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor, is a well-dispersed, economically important pest of wheat production systems. Australia is currently free of this pest, but if it were to establish here it is estimated to result in annual yield losses of 5 -15 percent. Early detection of an incursion is key to the quarantine and eradication of this invasive pest.

• understanding how an organism’s biology influences its geographic spread (from local/field to regional scales) following an initial incursion, rather than relying on purely empirical or statistical approaches • environmental heterogeneity in driving pest spread patterns • the dynamic nature of the invasion process, whereas many analyses of surveillance assume a static distribution of the organism, and; • accounting for these three factors (organism biology, environmental heterogeneity, and spread dynamics) in order to improve the efficiency of surveillance design.

Impact This project has delivered improved tools to support the development and evaluation of statistically-validated surveillance systems to help industry and government maintain area-freedom or low-pest-prevalence status. It has improved the ability to predict the spread of pests, such as phylloxera or fruit fly, across heterogeneous environments. In turn, this has improved the capacity for both early detection and successful eradication of new incursions. More efficient surveillance systems will result in a reduction in surveillance implementation costs and potential savings through faster detection and more effective eradication of new incursions.

Research partners University of WA, Plant and Food Research, New Zealand, Vinehealth Australia, State Government of Victoria, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

To date, knowledge of Hessian fly behaviour and biology has been lacking. This project aims to improve monitoring and detection of Hessian fly through better understanding of the pests biology and behaviour. Our research has examined Hessian fly biology and behaviour to better understand both how the pest reacts to various attractants and how environmental factors may affect the pest’s response to the attractant. Hessian fly movement within and between commercial wheat fields has also been observed. Such information will improve auto-reporting traps and potentially reduce costs (e.g. human hours), extend the geographic coverage (e.g. remote data collection and sharing), and increase the number of pests monitored and reported in real-time. Trap design such as light, colour, olfactory cues and trap arrangement have been assessed with the objective of developing traps that are effective under real-world conditions. Ultimately, this research will supply producers and researchers with information on Hessian fly biology and behaviour, optimum trap designs, and trap deployment strategies. Collectively this information will enable cheaper, more accurate and more efficient monitoring of this destructive pest.

Speaker profile Ryan Schmid is working toward a PhD in entomology at Kansas State University under the supervision of KSU’s Dr Brian McCornack. He received degrees in Biology and Microbiology in 2011 from South Dakota State University, and completed a Masters in Biology from South Dakota State University in 2014. [email protected]

Speaker profile Dr Michael Renton completed his PhD at the University of Queensland, looking at new approaches to modelling the interactions between plant form, function and environment in frangipani, cotton, peas and arctic birch. His post-doc in Montpellier, France, married stochastic models with dynamic structural models to create virtual apple trees and he then returned to Perth to create the Weed Seed Wizard (a model of seedbank dynamics) at the Department of Agriculture and Food. Now a Senior Lecturer at UWA, he applies his skills in ecological modelling and analysis to address problems in agriculture, conservation biology and theoretical ecology. [email protected]


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Dr John Weiss Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources: Enhanced surveillance strategies in horticultural industries based on knowledge of natural dispersal pathways (1031)

Dr Linda Zheng Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Victoria: New tools for field grains surveillance (2014)

Presentation summary Presentation summary Emphasis on the transportation of pests and diseases by humans has masked the role of wind and extreme weather events as agents of natural dispersal into Australia and New Zealand. The entry of priority pests into Australia by wind along natural dispersal pathways is not well understood. This project aimed to develop improved biosecurity surveillance strategies for the priority pests by providing information on what, where and when winds are most likely to bring them into Australia from the north and from New Zealand. Researchers worked with selected horticultural industries (e.g. citrus, potato and sugarcane) that are impacted by important natural dispersal pathways. Case studies for each of these industries were conducted to improve future surveillance strategies and preparedness programs. The end result of this project is recommendations for improved surveillance systems and biosecurity preparedness for naturally dispersed pests.

Impact Federal and state biosecurity agencies and industry will benefit from: • new and improved targeted and timely surveillance systems allowing for better allocation of limited resources • identification of proactive preparedness strategies and options for end-users to manage wind-borne priority pest and pathogen threats, and • better information about the role of natural dispersal to inform changes to pest and pathogen risk status. The Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy will be a major beneficiary from the implementation of improved surveillance strategies based on plant biosecurity risks rather than the animal risk zone protocols that are currently in place. Similarly, Victoria will benefit from the development of strategies that are largely lacking in south-east Australia. Plant Health Australia, Subcommittee on National Plant Health Surveillance and horticulture industries will also benefit from the identification of changes in detection capability, and potentially incursion risk to inform Industry Biosecurity Plans.

Research partners Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport, and Resources, Plant Health Australia, Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Plant and Food Research, New Zealand.

Speaker profile Dr John Weiss is a senior research scientist based at AgriBio, Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport, and Resources and La Trobe University. His research interest is in pest incursion management and includes: Evaluating the efficiency of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance of pests; Surveillance strategies for long distance natural wind dispersal of plant pests into Australia, and modelling the spread of pests and determining preferred control strategies - using agent based models. [email protected]

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Exotic pests and pathogens pose a serious biosecurity threat to the Australian grains industry. Soil-borne viruses are of particular concern, with the potential to cause severe losses in cereal crops. Once contaminated with viral spores the soil cannot be used to grow conventional wheat for at least 20 years. There are few effective, scientifically validated methodologies for detecting such destructive insect pests and plant pathogens, leaving producers and our lucrative grain market highly vulnerable. Building on outputs of the CRCNPB this project developed a) new monitoring devices compatible with rapid diagnostic tools to enable effective pest surveillance, such as the Mobile Jet Spore Sampler and b) a suite of molecular diagnostic tests for rapid detection of high priority exotic grains pests in the field. The molecular diagnostic tests can be used by Post Entry Quarantine facilities to improve confidence in detecting three types of viruses transmitted by the soil-borne fungus Polymyxa graminis in winter cereals and for seed-borne viruses (bymoviruses, furoviruses, hordeiviruses and pecluviruses). These protocols have been submitted to the Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostics for national endorsement in Australia and to the International Plant Protection Convention for adoption globally. The Mobile Jet Spore Sampler diagnostic tool collects air-borne fungal samples at 45 time’s greater efficiency than current sampling approaches, allowing area-wide surveillance of grain pests over a broader region through smart sampling technology.

Impact The tools developed through this project can be applied to all Australian cropping regions providing early warning of exotic plant pests and averting the serious economic and reputational consequences of an incursion. Early detection also avoids the lost production and recovery time that is inevitable following an incursion of an exotic pest. The tools act as a form of insurance for the grains industry, which worth approximately $14 billion at the farm gate in 2014-2015. Use of the diagnostics in world grain seed distribution centres could avert the potential distribution of contaminated seed internationally.

Research partners South Australian Research and Development Institute, Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport, and Resources, Qld. Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Grains Research and Development Corporation

Speaker profile Dr Linda Zheng is a plant virologist from the Centre for BioSciences in Victoria with a focus on the detection, diagnostics and epidemiology of plant viruses. She obtained her PhD from the Australian National University, where she worked on the diagnostics of potyviruses and the impact of virus discovery on their detection. She continues to explore the world of plant biosecurity by developing new diagnostic technologies for plant viruses in post entry quarantine. Her research interests include virus detection and diagnostics, plant biosecurity and plant virus epidemiology. [email protected]


Dr Roberto Barrero Murdoch University: Internet based bioinformatics toolkit for plant biosecurity diagnosis and surveillance of virus and viroids (2064)


DIAGNOSTICS

Plants imported into Australia can spend in excess of two years undergoing extensive testing for plant viruses and viroids of biosecurity concern. The current diagnostic tests used are resource intensive, time-consuming and expensive. This results in increased costs and significant time delays for primary producers accessing new genetic resources, thereby impacting their international competiveness and profitability. This project has investigated a new innovative molecular based test using next generation sequencing (NGS) to detect all plant viruses and viroids in a single test.

Impact To simplify the post-entry quarantine process researchers have developed a plant diagnostic toolkit that can accurately detect nearly all plant viruses and viroids in a single test for less than $1,000 per test. The toolkit takes advantage of the natural antiviral system of plants, using small RNA next generation sequencing (sRNA-seq) technology to detect nearly all known viruses and viroids. The new test and associated toolkit, will reduce the time imported plant material spends in Australia’s quarantine system, to potentially less than 12 months. The accuracy of the approach also means that false negative results, which can potentially lead to damaging outbreaks, are far less likely. The estimated cost : benefit to industry is 1:12. The Australian Government has accepted and adopted the technology in the toolkit as the new post-entry quarantine standard for the screening of viral pathogens in clonal grasses and other applications are under consideration.

Research partners Murdoch University, Plant and Food Research, New Zealand

Speaker profile Dr Roberto Barrero is a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Comparative Genomics at Murdoch University. He is involved in delivering bioinformatics solutions to Agricultural and Biomedical projects. His expertise in molecular biology and computational biology provides him with a unique set of skills that enables him to deliver tailored innovations. Dr Barrero is an Australian representative in the International Barley Sequencing Consortium that is soon to make public a highly advanced genomic resource for barley. This resource will promote new barley breeding programs and commercial applications. He leads the CRC’s research on the development of a small RNA next generation sequencing based approach capable of screening for viruses and viroids in a single test. [email protected]


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Dr Toni Chapman New South Wales Department of Primary Industries: Deployment of validated genomeinformed bacterial diagnostics (2002 – 2156)

Dr Fiona Constable Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources: International acceptance of Australian solanaceous and cucurbit seed tests (2148)

Presentation summary Fifty-six plant pathogenic bacteria have been identified as potential threats to Australia, 11 of which have been identified as high risk. One of the main issues with bacterial pathogens is being able to differentiate exotic bacteria from closely related strains of bacteria already present in the country, which can cause false positives. Incorrect identification is a major biosecurity risk, with potentially high economic costs. LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) technology is a robust and sensitive method to detect a plant pathogen. LAMP uses constant temperature and pathogen-specific primers to amplify genetic data in a field sample, enabling the detection of specific DNA patterns. The LAMP test is simple, fast and portable. The benefits of field deployable smart surveillance tools are significant. Biosecurity decisions can be made at the site of discovery within an hour.

Impact This project has provided many benefits for plant industries and government agencies in plant and crop protection including: • Improved diagnostic tools for proactive surveillance at high risk border sites. • Sensitive diagnostic tests that can detect low levels of pathogen infection in symptomless hosts. • Rapid diagnostic tests so that they can be delivered at the border in a timely fashion. • Development of multi-target novel detection systems that differentiate between groups/genera of pathogens. • Development of multi-target detection systems that identify pathogens to the species level. • Development of novel multi-target detection systems that are rapid, reliable, accurate, cheap, sensitive and user friendly. More rapid detection may reduce the environmental and economic impacts of pest incursions. The establishment of reference genomes will accelerate the pace at which diagnostics for newly evolved pathogenic strains can be developed, and therefore potentially reduce the cost of future diagnostics.

Research partners Kansas State University, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Victoria, Murdoch University, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Plant and Food Research New Zealand

Speaker profile Dr Toni Chapman is a molecular bacteriologist with the NSW DPI’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, with a focus on plant bacteriology in both a diagnostic. Currently Toni is working on collaborative research projects focused on the development and deployment of genome informed diagnostics for plant pathogenic bacteria (Plant Biosecurity CRC); Improved biosecurity through the engineering of microbial ecosystems: protection against antibiotic resistant pathogens (ARC Linkage), understanding the gut microflora of the Queensland fruit fly (Horticulture Innovation Australia) and understanding the fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae, responsible for Verticillium wilt (Cotton RDC). [email protected]

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Presentation summary Australia imports most of its tomato, capsicum and cucurbit seed. There have been more than 20 incursions of pospiviroids in glasshouse grown tomatoes and capsicums since the 1990’s. Pospiviroids can cause significant losses in infected tomatoes, capsicums and potatoes and impact market access for exported produce. Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) affects cucurbit species, such as cucumber, melons, watermelon, zucchini, pumpkin and squash, resulting in substantial crop losses. Although the Pospiviroid species, Potato spindle tuber viroid, and CGMMV are now present in some areas of Australia they remain quarantine pathogens and seed is regulated at the border. This project has developed a sensitive, reliable and cost effective protocol to detect viruses and viroids in seed, including CGMMV. The molecular-based validated seed testing protocols provide Australian and international laboratories with access to world’s best practice diagnostic capability, minimising the risk of entry of seedborne pathogens

Impact The seed testing protocols can be used as an international standard for the detection of viroids and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) in seed, and to reduce the risks presented by contaminated traded seed. The protocols meet the stringent requirements of sensitivity required by Australian quarantine at the border while minimising cost to industry. It is anticipated that these protocols will be fully implemented by Australian regulatory authorities. It is further anticipated that the project outcomes will result in internationally harmonized testing procedures for Pospiviroid species and CGMMV in internationally traded solanaceous and cucurbit seed. Further, the research recommended that Australian regulatory authorities: • Adopt updated molecular protocols that were developed and evaluated in this project to improve detection of Pospiviroid species in solanaceous seed. • Adopt molecular protocols that were developed and evaluated in this project to increase the possibility of detection of CGMMV in cucurbit seed.

Research partners Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport, and Resources

Speaker profile Dr Fiona Constable is the Senior Plant Virologist in the Plant Microbiology Group and for Crop Health Services diagnostic service of the Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport, and Resources. Dr Constable has considerable experience in the epidemiology of virus, viroids and phytoplasma associated diseases and development of rapid and reliable molecular diagnostic tests for these pathogens in various crops, including virus and viroid testing of true solanaceous and cucurbit seed. [email protected] State Science Exchange 2018 | Program 11

Dr Brendan Rodoni Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources: Psyllid microflora- Implications for Liberibacter disease surveillance and pest control (PhD 62116)

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Presentation summary Both zebra chip and citrus greening disease complexes are caused by exotic Candidatus Liberibacter species and pose a severe economic threat. These phytopathogenic bacteria are vectored by psyllids, small sap-sucking insects. Australia is a centre of psyllid diversity, with hundreds of native species present. However, little is known about the microflora of Australian psyllids or their potential role to transmit Ca. Liberibacter-associated diseases. Native Australian psyllids may harbour microflora that are closely related to Ca. Liberibacter species, which can potentially confound the diagnostic protocols used for surveillance of an Emergency Plant Pest and have deleterious effects in an incursion situation. The native Australian eggplant psyllid, Acizzia solanicola, was selected as a starting point to investigate Australian psyllid microflora due to the plant-host crossover with the tomato potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, on eggplant and cape gooseberry. This research aimed to; • Profile the microflora of the native eggplant psyllid, A. solanicola, and determine whether microorganisms are present that may confound the diagnosis of phytopathogenic Ca. Liberibacter species.

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• Perform molecular characterisation of the dominant microbial species in A. solanicola.

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• Provide insights into the presence of significant microflora within A. solanicola and host plants.

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• Investigate the genetic diversity of the Liberibacter genus.

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This project is the first to research the microflora of a native Australian psyllid and detect a novel Ca. Liberibacter species, ‘Ca. Liberibacter brunswickensis’. This is the first Ca. Liberibacter species detected in mainland Australia and the first Ca. Liberibacter species detected in the psyllid genus Acizzia. This novel Ca. Liberibacter species amplifies false positive diagnostic results for two Ca. Liberibacter species associated with citrus greening, Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus and Ca. Liberibacter africanus. This discovery confirms there is microflora in native Australian psyllids that can confound diagnostic tests developed outside of Australia and the importance of ensuring diagnostic tests are validated within each region. The biology of the novel species and its phylogenetic and genetic relationship to other species within the Liberibacter genus are explored. These findings are important for both biosecurity preparedness and response management of exotic diseases.

Research partners AgriBio, Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport, and Resources, La Trobe University

Speaker profile Dr Brendan Rodoni is a Senior Research Fellow with the School of Applied Systems Biology and Research Leader (Microbiology) with Agriculture Victoria’s Biosciences Research branch, based at AgriBio. He is a plant microbiologist who leads a team of 25 biosciences staff and students, focusing on plant biosecurity and the detection and epidemiology of plant viruses and phytopathogenic bacteria of temperate and tropical crops. Dr Rodoni is PhD supervisor of Jacqui Morris part of whose research is presented here. [email protected] 12 State Science Exchange 2018 | Program

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Dr Paul Cunningham

Dr Kevin Farnier

Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources: Continuing development of a female Q-fly lure: improved lure formulation and field evaluation (3152)


FRUIT FLY

Australian fruit growers regard the absence of an effective lure and kill device for female Q-fly as a “gaping hole in the toolbox for future control” of this destructive pest. Previous NPBCRC research and Hort Innovation investments have made significant progress towards creating a novel lure and kill device for female Q-fly, delivering proofof-concept research into trap design and fundamental research into attractant formulation. This project focused on further refinement of the synthetic attractant for female Q-fly, and the incorporation of this attractant into a commercially viable field trap for female Q-fly. We also investigated the use of a new technology called antennal lobe optical imaging, which analyses odour-evoked responses in the insect brain, for improving development of new insect attractants. As this technology is not available in Australia, our scientists were trained by experts at Stockholm University. The technology has allowed researchers to probe the fruit fly brain and use imaging on live insects to see how different odours evoke different responses.

Impact The commercialisation of an effective female Q-fly lure and kill system will deliver significant benefit for Australian growers through improving crop productivity, reducing barriers to export markets by ensuring our produce meets the increasingly stringent phytosanitary requirements of export destinations, and assist in lowering within and between-season fruit fly populations. The system could also be used in Q-fly monitoring and control in urban environments, where escalating fly populations can be harder to target. Further work will look at how the technology can be integrated into Q-fly surveillance and control practices, such as helping to assess the success of Sterile Insect Technique programs. Findings from the antennal lobe imaging study could open the door to a new method for developing attractants for many other insect pests and biosecurity threats. Importantly, the project has built capacity among Australian scientists in the application of new technologies in insect brain imaging; a skill previously unavailable in Australia. This new approach will greatly increase Australia’s medium to long-term capacity to develop plant-based lures for biosecurity pests.

Research partners Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Victoria, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland University of Technology, Stockholm University, Summerfruit Australia

Speakers profile PBCRC project leader, A/ Professor Paul Cunningham, is the Research Leader for the Invertebrate & Weed Sciences group at Ag. Vic. Research. He leads a team of 28 scientists, technicians and PhD students covering a range of topics in insect and plant biosecurity and pest management. [email protected] Dr Kevin Farnier is an analytical chemist/chemical ecologist with interests in animal/insect – plant interactions, sensory ecology and olfaction. He led experimental work on the development and field testing of the lure. He has worked with Real IPM UK and Celgene, Switzerland. [email protected] @PBCRC #SX18


Prof YongLin Ren Murdoch University: Deployment of nitrogen technology and development of nitrogen/ phosphine combinations for the management of grain storage pests and grain quality (3099)


GRAINS

The grains industry needs solutions to the increasing problem of insect resistance to phosphine. The problem is particularly important to Australia where the use of phosphine underpins our requirement to trade grain that is pest free. One alternative, or complementary approach, is the use of controlled atmospheres in which gas concentrations (oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen) and temperature and humidity are regulated. In grains, legumes and oilseed the primary aim of the atmosphere is to control insect pests as most insects cannot exist indefinitely without oxygen. Reduced oxygen can also result in an increase in insect respiration which increases phosphine toxicity to insects. Previous CRCNPB research developed nitrogen technology for use at a commercial scale to control grain storage pests, however cost barriers to deployment remained. These have now largely been ameliorated with the recent development of lower priced Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Membrane Separation (MS) nitrogen generators.

Impact The project has assisted industry and government to meet market and importing country requirements by developing and testing prototype tools and strategies for systems approaches to pest management. This project has also assisted in developing alternative strategies for the use of nitrogen and nitrogen + phosphine to replace key pest management chemicals likely to be no longer available. End-users are now seeking the opportunity to deploy the technology and assess the potential to integrate the technology into operations for the protection of grain from storage pests.

Research partners Murdoch University, Viterra, CBH Group, GrainCorp

Speaker profile Professor YongLin Ren is a Principal Research Scientist in the School of Biological Science and Biotechnology at Murdoch University. He has led research teams in the development of management and commercialisation strategies for grain pest technology and quality control. Professor Ren provides holistic solutions to industry issues by interacting across disciplines, such as linking grain storage with insect pests, fumigant/cereal chemistry, aeration, grain drying, methyl bromide alternatives for timber/soil/fruit fumigation, pesticide residue and quarantine regulations and legislation at the national and international level. His research helps maintain the Australian grain industry as a market leader by providing sound, cost-effective and safe storage technology. [email protected]


@PBCRC #SX18

Suzanne McLoughlin Vinehealth Australia: On-farm DNA Surveillance (2061)


GRAINS HORTICULTURE AND VITICULTURE

Grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) is a soft bodied insect that destroys vines by feeding on their leaves and roots. In Australia over 70% of commercial winegrape vineyards are susceptible to attack by phylloxera. There are no effective chemical or biological control options for grape phylloxera, which will eventually kill the vine. Replanting with phylloxera-resistant or tolerant rootstocks costs up to $60,000 per hectare. While there are 83 strains of grape phylloxera in Australia, its spread is managed by strict regulatory requirements for the movement of phylloxera vectors between Phylloxera Management Zones. Working directly with grape growers, this project has developed a rapid DNA diagnostic tool that identifies where the pest is or isn’t, which assists industry and regulators to administer Phylloxera Management Zones, thus helping to prevent spread and safeguard against economic losses. The project has: • developed a practical soil sampling and handling method for growers • validated the qPCR diagnostic method for determining phylloxera presence in a soil sample • improved knowledge among growers of phylloxera surveillance and trained industry in the collection and management of samples for DNA analysis, and • developed a surveillance protocol which directly engages the growers in the risk management of pests and diseases.

Impact The outcome is a rapid, cost-effective and non-invasive sampling protocol that can be used by regulators, growers and other industry stakeholders without expert assistance in collecting the soil sample. Suitably equipped laboratories can process up to 500 samples a day. The protocol can be used as part of an integrated surveillance system to determine phylloxera presence or absence in an area or state. This will help prevent the spread of phylloxera and safeguard this industry, which contributes $AUD40.2 billion in gross output to the Australian economy each year. The research also provides a framework for evaluating and designing surveillance systems that could be applied to a wide range of pests and diseases, and industries.

Research partners Australian Grape and Wine Authority, NSW DPI, Phylloxera and Grape Board of South Australia (trading as Vinehealth Australia), Rho Environmetrics, SARDI, The University of Adelaide, Victorian Dept. of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.

Speaker profile Suzanne McLoughlin is the Technical Manager of Vinehealth Australia, a statutory body funded by vineyard owners in South Australia, established to protect the states vineyards from pests and diseases. Suzanne has 20 years of experience across a range of technical viticulture and grower relations roles. Just prior to commencing with Vinehealth Australia, Suzanne was Viticulturist – Sustainability for Treasury Wine Estates, with responsibility for managing biosecurity. [email protected]

@PBCRC #SX18


Dr Suzy Perry

Dr Rebecca Laws

Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries: Better biosecurity risk management through collaborative planning and shared decision making (4115)


SOCIAL BIOSECURITY

Planning and decision making to manage plant biosecurity risks is inherently complex, often contentious, involves unknowns and uncertainty, and needs to be adaptable to rapidly changing situations. Australia’s biosecurity system has moved to a shared responsibility model, where governments, industry and the community work together to make decisions about managing plant pests and diseases. The partnerships and relationships between these groups are becoming ever more critical to successful biosecurity management. The processes used to make decisions need to be clear, structured and allow for consensus to be achieved among all stakeholders. To help navigate this complex system this project developed a collaborative planning and shared decision-making framework, an integrated system that incorporates principles for involving stakeholders, effective risk analysis, good decision-making, and risk governance. Endusers and beneficiaries will be able to better manage plant biosecurity risks with a logical and analytical planning and decision-making process that integrates scientific, technical and practical knowledge and accounts for political, social and economic values.

Impact Some of the early impacts and benefits from the project include; increased accountability and transparency in incursion response contexts; improved insights from use of a stronger evidence base; reduced negative impacts on Panama affected properties; and improved disease prevention practices on-farm. Anticipated impacts include: • Improved incursion responses, with positive spin-offs into preparedness and recovery phases of biosecurity decision making • Increased accountability and transparency in incursion response contexts, which in turn reduces conflicts and builds increased trust between governments and industry/community stakeholders • Decision making which is quicker, more efficient and more precise, which will reduce biosecurity impacts and costs

Research partners Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Plant & Food Research New Zealand, CSIRO

Speaker profiles Dr Suzy Perry, a molecular biologist specialising in plant pathogens has more than 20 years’ experience in plant protection and biosecurity. As Principal Scientist in Biosecurity Queensland, she provides scientific and policy advice in plant biosecurity: prevention; planning and preparedness; surveillance; diagnostics; pest risk assessment, risk mitigation strategies and risk management; and incursion response and management. [email protected] Dr Rebecca Laws is a research scientist specialising in ecology, genetics and environmental decision science. Her PhD focused on the genetics and management of small avian populations, followed research with the US Fish and Wildlife service to develop a translocation decision tool for critically endangered birds. Prior to joining the Biosecurity Queensland team she was a postdoc at UQ developing resource allocation decision tools for National Park Mangers in Australia. [email protected] 16 State Science Exchange 2018 | Program

@PBCRC #SX18

Dr Cathy Robinson CSIRO: Building collaboration in biosecurity innovation systems (4004)

Thi Tam Duong Charles Darwin University: Perceptions and behaviours towards biosecurity risks across Vietnamese farming communities in Australia (PhD 64139)

Presentation summary This project team worked with industry and government agencies involved in implementing shared responsibility agreements and reviewed the ways agencies engage with stakeholders both in “peacetime” and during an incursion response. Response costs are significant and these costs will be reduced through gaining support for biosecurity in the community and more collaborative relationships between the community, industry and government. A stakeholder engagement methodology ‘Working together for biosecurity’ was developed with a range of stakeholders including growers, community gardeners, Indigenous groups and government organisations across Northern Australia. The project found that efforts to engage stakeholders in biosecurity must occur during both the ‘preparation’ mode of day-to-day prevention and surveillance, as well as during the investigation, alert, operational and stand-down phases of an emergency response.

Impact The project team has showcased and adapted this methodology for community and industry groups as well as government to show how it can be applied to refine and improve biosecurity stakeholder engagement efforts. Some of the potential future impacts and benefits from this work include: • Improved awareness of plant biosecurity among various groups, potentially extending the surveillance network. • Increased willingness by government agencies and industry groups to invest in engagement and partnerships through raised awareness of the importance of engagement, and tools and knowledge to achieve more effective communication and collaboration. • Industry and regulatory groups having a better understanding of grower behaviours and motivations, potentially leading to better uptake of biosecurity practices such as reporting and farm-gate hygiene, which would potentially reduce incursion risk and spread, and protect grower livelihoods.

Research partners CSIRO, University of Queensland, Charles Darwin University, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

Presentation summary Vietnamese farming communities in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia have been operating for many years, demonstrating great resilience and a remarkable ability to adjust to local environments. These communities play an important role in horticultural supply to major urban populations, however their vulnerability to, and level of awareness of, potential biosecurity risks are poorly understood. This research explored, from the points of view of Vietnamese communities, how biosecurity risks fit within broader agricultural risks, how these communities perceive and respond to biosecurity risks and their views of current biosecurity management practices and policies. Exploring and analysing the biosecurity threats that are likely to have impact on Vietnamese farming communities in Australia and how these communities might cope with those threats is crucial for a regional biosecurity strategy. More specifically, this research explored how Vietnamese farmers manage their farm business, how they perceive biosecurity risks, what impacts these threats may have on their production systems, and how they might respond to outbreaks. The research provides an improved understanding of farmers’ perceptions and behaviours to biosecurity risks, assisting the local government to deliver appropriate support and strategies for adaptation. This will (i) help to ensure Vietnamese farmers’ livelihoods and the sustainability of local urban food supply; (ii) identify social and economic impacts of potential biosecurity risks; (iii) help to assess the investment required to minimise these risks into the future.

Speaker profile Thi Tam, Duong completed her Master of Science in Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Australia. Tam worked as the Ethnic Minorities Working Group Coordinator and enriched her experiences of working with wide range of stakeholders such as NGOs, development agencies, government bodies, and ethnic minorities. [email protected]

Speaker profile Dr Cathy Robinson is a human geographer studying the design and performance of decentralised environmental governance systems, with a focus on cross-cultural planning arrangements in Northern Australia. Cathy’s research is currently focused on the design and application of collaborative decision-support frameworks that are capable of translating scientific, Indigenous and local knowledge into biosecurity surveillance and decision-making. She is also working on a number of projects that examine the barriers and opportunities facing Indigenous people and partners in their efforts to 1) evaluate joint environmental planning activities and objectives and 2) deliver livelihood and other negotiated co-benefits from the delivery of carbon offset schemes and programs. [email protected]

@PBCRC #SX18


Dr Kylie Ireland CSIRO: Pathways and Risk Assessment Framework for High Impact Species (PRAFHIS) (1109)


STRENGTHENING BORDER BIOSECURITY

Invasive pests and diseases are a constant threat to food production in Australian and New Zealand. Determining which pests are likely to pose the greatest threat will enable a more targeted, structured and cost effective approach to biosecurity risk assessment. We have collected data on past plant pest invasions for high value crops in both Australia and New Zealand to find the common threads in high impact incursions, and distinguish these from those of low or no impact. The project explored; a) which plant pests are most likely to be high impact? b) What are the priority pathways and pest traits for these high impact species? c) How can we best allocate resources to manage these threats? This data will enable us to test current prioritisation approaches of high-impact pests and design a risk assessment framework that will build on those current practices. Ultimately, it will allow testing of some of the basic assumptions in biosecurity; .i.e. Are the currently monitored pathways the most likely entry routes for high impact pest incursions? And are high impact pest incursions largely predictable?

Impact With end-users in government and industry the team developed a common set of metrics to measure impact and identify the characteristics of high impact pests. The final product is a relevant and practical risk assessment framework for high impact species that will be incorporated into Pest Risk Analysis methodologies in both Australia and New Zealand. It provides a logical and defensible prioritisation process leading to better biosecurity practices and better protection for Australian and New Zealand agricultural industries. The research is likely to inform the development of national biosecurity policy.

Research partners CSIRO, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, BioProtection New Zealand, DAFF, Western Australia, Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Plant & Food Research, Plant Health Australia, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, South Australia Research and Development Institute

Speaker profile Dr Kylie Ireland is a plant pathologist, with a bent for ecological modelling, agricultural development and applied plant pathology. Kylie splits her time between Weed Biological Control and Plant Biosecurity/Pest Risk Assessment projects. She has worked on forest pest climatic niche modelling in Tasmania, myrtle rust ecology with Biosecurity Queensland, and plant pathology capacity building in southern Laos. [email protected]


@PBCRC #SX18

CSIRO: A risk-return prioritisation tool for global trade inspections (1108)

Notes .................................................................................................

Dr Paul Mwebaze Dr Petra Kuhnert

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Presentation summary The Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) is a major threat to Australia’s $2 billion per year forest industries, with the potential to devastate our agricultural and horticultural industries. Building on research from the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity, this research is using the AGM as a test species to develop and implement a tool that will vastly improve detection of AGM on vessels arriving in Australia. In developing the tool researchers combined the ship network model with queuing theory. By applying the model with an understanding of the biological characteristics of AGM they have produced two tools: • A risk profiling tool that can assess the risk of vessels infested with mature AGM eggs coming to Australia, in real time, as the ship is heading towards an Australian port. This tool will narrow down the number of vessels requiring inspections.

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• An economic model that helps the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) determine how best to target their inspection resources, saving both time and money.

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Impact

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Apart from avoiding the significant costs that an incursion of AGM into Australia will impose on the Australian agricultural and horticulture sectors, the tool provides benefits to the shipping industries by significantly reducing the number of inspections and therefore costs. Better targeted inspections also reduce disruptions and minimise delays. The tool will be validated against the 2017 AGM season to further assess its effectiveness. It will then be integrated with the DAWR Maritime Arrival Reporting System. The tool has widespread applicability, with the potential to extend this work to other invasive species likely to be carried via shipping pathways.

Research partners CSIRO, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

Speaker profiles Dr Paul Mwebaze is an agricultural economist within CSIRO following a post-doctoral appointment at ANU. His current research focuses on the economics of biosecurity, fisheries, cost recovery, and the valuation of environmental goods and services. He is a member of the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economics, the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society. [email protected]

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Dr Petra Kuhnert is a research statistician with a PhD in applied statistics. Her most recent research interests focus on managing model uncertainty and its communication for decision making, the development of data assimilation methods for blending modelled output with measurements, investigating elicitation practices with experts on risk related issues and the translation and synthesis of expert opinion into priors to inform Bayesian models. [email protected]

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@PBCRC #SX18


Associate Professor Ben White University of Western Australia: With the benefit of hindsight: a bioeconomic analysis of past pest incursions (1033)


INCURSION RESPONSE

This project developed methods to analyse five past pest incursion to assess how incursion management decisions were made and whether they could be improved upon in terms of the economic outcomes. Across the five pests analysed, there were some recurring themes and some economic principles which emerged. First, information about a pest incursion has a value. Passive surveillance in all cases was key to initiating a response, but incentives for honesty and diligence are poorly understood. A delay in notification can arise when there is an incentive to ignore a potential incursion or to wait for someone else to notify the regulator about the pest. Second, producers make decisions which are individually optimal but collectively sub-optimal. A collectively optimal solution often requires a greater exercise of power than most regulators would be willing to apply. In all examples except one, spill-over or external costs were significant: the actions of producers on infested farms imposed costs on others and on society. Finally, there is the concept of marginality - do the total costs of a policy exceed the benefits? If not, at what point does the marginal cost of an incremental policy change equal the marginal benefits? This point is relatively straightforward to define for control of a pest, but very difficult when applied to surveillance.

Impact The research outcome was methods to assess the risks and returns of different approaches to incursion management. This includes modified methods of estimating the costs and benefits of pest incursions and a review of the data requirements to mount an incursion response. These methods have the potential to make incursion management in the future more cost effective and improve biosecurity decision making.

Research partners University of Western Australia

Speaker profile Ben White is an Associate Professor in the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment. His research on biosecurity includes a paper on the economics of Qfly management and a report on returns to investing in pre-breeding for exotic cereal pests. He is known internationally for papers on agri-environmental contracts and two textbooks on environmental economics. [email protected]


@PBCRC #SX18

Dr Grant Hamilton Queensland University of Technology: Decision making for eradication and quarantine zones (2100)

Presentation summary When pest incursions are detected, decisions about how to respond need to be made quickly in order to minimise potential economic and environmental damage. Following containment, appropriate actions for removal of the pest need to be planned and implemented. Depending on the knowledge of the organism and the experience of the decision makers, the setting of limits for quarantine zones and planning eradication strategies can be ad hoc, with little regard to the dispersal capacity of organisms, environmental factors such as temperature or landscape factors such as topography and host availability. There is therefore a need for tools and protocols that support robust decision making that balances the risk of incursion with compliance costs and trade limitations. The project used available data and incorporated biological and environmental factors to develop protocols and software for international and national use. We integrated three phases (estimation, quantitative analysis of probability of occurrence for an incursion, and spatial optimisation of eradication techniques) into a single framework. Furthermore we developed methods to estimate the biological parameters of incursion parameters, we then used these to evaluate probability regions for pest dispersal and finally we developed methods to prioritise treatments for eradication.

Impact

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The methods, protocols and software developed improve the capacity and confidence of biosecurity officials to make decisions regarding quarantine limits, minimising interventions and optimising eradication strategies for pest incursions. The approaches inform how incursion responses should be modified as the incursion continues and more data becomes available.

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Research partners

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QLD University of Technology, QLD Government, Plant Health Australia, State Government of Victoria, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Horticulture Innovation Australia, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

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Speaker profile Dr. Hamilton is a biosecurity specialist with expertise in ecology, statistical and risk analysis, and the detection and management of pests and a senior lecturer in Ecology and Biosecurity at Queensland University of Technology. He has an extensive background in experimental design, surveillance planning, detection and eradication of weeds, feral pests, and plant pests and diseases. In the past 5 years has attracted over $2 million in research grants in the area of biosecurity and invasive species detection, statistical modeling and decision making. [email protected]

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@PBCRC #SX18


Laura Fernandez Winzer PBCRC (PhD) (62117): Managing myrtle rust and its impacts on Australia’s unique biodiversity (2063)


MYRTLE RUST

Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is an invasive South and Central American fungus that was first detected in Australia in 2010. It has now been recorded from Northern Territory in the north and south to Tasmania. The fungus attacks plants in the Myrtaceae family, which are dominant in many Australian vegetation communities, including endemic and threatened species as well as commercial varieties. The fungus attacks growing tissues of plants, including new leaves, flower buds and fruits and can cause symptoms from leaf distortion to plant death, depending on the species’ susceptibility. More than 350 host species have been detected so far in Australia and more than 450 worldwide.

impact This research aimed to better understand the extent and impacts of myrtle rust in Australian native and managed landscapes. A survey was undertaken of staff from national parks, botanical gardens, councils, natural resource managers, nurseries and forestry agencies in all states where the fungus is present (NT, QLD, NSW, VIC and TAS). The survey revealed that Myrtle rust is widespread in NSW and QLD urban environments as well as in native vegetation. Four new host species were also identified. Highly negative impacts were found for the brush turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens) and the native guava (Rhodomyrtus psidioides). To assess the impact of A. psidii on native communities, co-occurring species Melaleuca quinquenervia, Leptospermum laevigatum and Baeckea linifolia seedlings were infected with the rust, all suffered reduced height, biomass and number of leaves. M. quinquenervia seedlings suffered the greatest impacts to growth. This study provides a better understanding of the potential impacts of A. psidii in this vegetation community. Findings have significant implications for both the ongoing management of this pathogen across Australia and for the conservation and management of Australian Myrtaceae-dominated plant communities generally.

Research partners Macquarie University, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

Speaker profile Laura Ferandez Winzer studied Biological Sciences in Argentina at Universidad Nacional del Sur. She then moved to Natal, Brazil to undertake her Master in Ecology at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Laura is completing a PBCRC sponsored PhD at Macquarie University, Sydney. [email protected]


@PBCRC #SX18

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THE PLANT BIOSECURITY COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE

NATIONAL

Science Exchange 2018 BIOSECURITY BUILT ON SCIENCE, FOR AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT 29-31 May 2018 RACV City Club Melbourne, Victoria


www.pbcrc.com.au/science-exchange-2018 @PBCRC #SX18