CRC for Plant Biosecurity - diagnostics

The specificity of PCR-based protocols for detection of Erwinia amylovora

Priyanka — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:10:00 +0000

The specificity of PCR-based protocols for detection of Erwinia amylovora

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Australia: distribution, detection and discovery of naturally occurring defective DNA molecules

Priyanka — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:49:30 +0000

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Australia: distribution, detection and discovery of naturally occurring defective DNA molecules

Digital Tools for Diagnostics

CRICHTONA — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:29:31 +0000

Australia extends digital pest-detection network to Asia

K.Scott — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 02:31:16 +0000

Media Release: 10 August 2010

Australia’s digital pest-detection network is expanding to neighbouring Asian nations to identify and combat invasive insects and diseases that threaten Australia’s agricultural industries and markets before they arrive.

A network of more than 30 camera-connected microscopes linked to a public internet-based image library is already part of the arsenal being deployed to meet Australia’s biosecurity challenges.

This includes remote districts like Kununurra in Western Australia, which would otherwise have a limited access to the expertise required to identify new plant pests and diseases.

The digital diagnostic technology and procedures developed by the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for National Plant Biosecurity have now been extended to East Timor, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam to enhance their diagnostic capability and contribute to Australia’s ‘pre-border’ surveillance.

Plant pathologist Dr Gary Kong is leading the CRC’s digital diagnostic project and says the increasing volume of international trade and people movement are placing greater pressure on our quarantine systems.

“At the same time the pool of expertise to diagnose new incursions is shrinking. Digital tools are helping us to do more with less and increasing access to information that improves our capacity to identify new pests and disease and respond more quickly.” READ MORE

Instructions for downloading images

To download and save images, right-click on the link and click ‘save target as’. If you experience any problems, please contact Communications Manager, Kate Scott begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting on 0402 299 611 or k.scott@crcplantbiosecurity.com.au

Plant research to protect tomato production

VANMEURSA — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:26:37 +0000

UQ PhD student is battling an elusive virus to save Australia's tomato sauce and sandwiches.

As part of a Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity project (CRCNPB) Sharon van Brunschot from the School of Biological Sciences is examining the Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, which first appeared in South-east Queensland in 2006.

Since then it has had a significant impact on tomato production, with disease incidence in some areas reaching 100 percent.

'My research will create new diagnostic methods, and help to increase Australia's capacity to stop the movement and spread of plant viruses once they have entered Australia,' Ms van Brunschot said.

Caused by a group of geminiviruses, the Tomato yellow leaf curl disease is regarded as the most significant constraint to tomato production worldwide.

Since its introduction, the virus has spread throughout South-east Queensland with particularly high incidences in Bundaberg, and is spread by the silverleaf whitefly.

'I'm looking into ways for improving the management of this virus by developing better detection methods, which are faster, easier and more accurate,' Ms van Brunschot said.

She said increases in trade and travel – the two most common sources of entry for pest and pathogens – were the likely culprits for the virus's introduction to Australia.

Although the tomato is the major host, the virus can cause disease in other crops such as chilli peppers and beans and also persists in many common weeds.

Once in Australia, the pathogens threaten Australia's plant industries and native eco-systems, she said.

'The viruses I work with evolve by exchanging genetic material, with new viruses consistently arising, the risk for more viruses evolving is high and Australia needs to be prepared with cutting edge science to quickly diagnose these threats,' Ms van Brunschot said.

Working from the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries at the Indooroopilly Sciences Centre, she has discovered a number of new genetic characteristics of the virus.

In September Ms van Brunschot will travel to The Netherlands on a scholarship provided by the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB) to continue working on virus detection technologies.

Photo acknowledgement:
Photo caption: Tomato plant with symptoms of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus
Content supplied by: University of Queensland

Digital tools for diagnostics

VANMEURSA — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:24:59 +0000

CRC60037: Fire Blight Diagnostics - PhD

VANMEURSA — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:24:58 +0000

CRC20137: Khapra Beetle Diagnostics

VANMEURSA — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 04:29:29 +0000

Program

Diagnostics

CRC40050: Post Entry Quarantine (phase one)

VANMEURSA — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:46:02 +0000

Program

Impact Management

CRC20115: Resolving the Bactrocera dorsalis Complex

VANMEURSA — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:04:15 +0000

Program

Diagnostics