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Spreading the collaboration
Australia faces a significant challenge in order to minimise the entry, establishment and spread of harmful plant pests and diseases which could affect agriculture production, market access and our environment. A plant pest or disease outbreak could have serious economic and environmental impact. To protect Australia from a potentially devastating pests and diseases a tool to predict how they were established, how far they spread and the speed at which they spread is required.
In order to create this tool, CRC researchers from University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) recently met to discuss the development of simulation models.
The economic and ecological model node meeting was organised by DAFWA entomologist, Dr Maria Majer and Research Assistant Professor Rohan Sadler (UWA). Dr Majer is working on the CRC project Simulation Surveillance Platform which is developing a computer simulation model that will predict the establishment and spread of invasive plant pests and diseases. Maria is also working with Research Fellow, Dr García (UWA) who brought his expertise to the meeting. Professor Sadler is working on a project looking at the progress in modelling of the benefit cost analysis of market specification and technology options. He also supervises CRC PhD student, Ms Hoda Abougamos who is researching spatial elements of the economics of pest control in grain logistic chains.
In addition to these participants, Research Fellow Dr James Bennett (UWA) and his project leader, Assistant Professor Dr Michael Renton also attended. They are working on a system to rapidly characterise new invading organisms. This model will provide timely information about the pest’s biology and spread potential, as well as guide the appropriate response in the event of an incursion. Dr Renton also keeps busy as a supervisor for CRC PhD students Mr David Savage and Dr Mingren Shi.
The presence of DAFWA experts in entomology such as Dr Bill Woods, Dr John Botha, Mr Marc Widmer, Ms Rose Fogliane and plant pathologist, Mr Bill MacLeod and modelling expert Dr Moin Salam ensured for an informative meeting and robust discussions.
The interaction of the groups was very positive and was an excellent chance to network with others in the field. The group was very pleased and honoured by the presence of CRC Principal Scientist Dr James Ridsdill-Smith Adjunct Professor University of Western Australia, and Honorary Fellow CSIRO Entomology.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for PhD student Nichole Hammond (DAFWA) to present her research findings to fellow CRC researchers. Nichole is evaluating plant pathogen surveillance and surveillance tools, and in particular using data to demonstrate Western Australia is free from Tilletia indica, Karnal bunt.
Photo caption: Back row, Michael Renton, David Savage, Mingren Shi, James Bennett, Dr García and James Ridsdill-Smith. Front row, Rohan Sadler, Veronique Florec, Maria Majer, Moin Salam and Nichole Hammond.
Image courtesy of Maria Majer
Article written by Maria Majer
