CRC for Plant Biosecurity - grain

Contingency plans for exotic pests of grain

CRICHTONA — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:36:32 +0000

Resistance monitoring and protocol development: key components in ensuring the biosecurity of post-harvest grain

CRICHTONA — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 04:27:40 +0000

Sharing and learning in the United States

VANMEURSA — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 04:19:37 +0000

Dr Grant Hamilton visited Kansas State University from 19 - 26 August 2010. He was hosted by Professor Bhadriraju Subramanyam, an internationally recognised grains researcher who has published extensively on grains sampling.

Apart from several discussions with Professor Subramanyam about grains sampling, Dr Hamilton met with a number of people involved in detection and sampling of pests in grain bulks and processing facilities. His initial meeting was with Dr Jim Campbell (United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA, ARS)). During this meeting the two scientists discussed Dr Campbell’s recent research, examining the interaction of pests within and outside food processing facilities. They also discussed the difficulties in interpreting trap catches of red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and the environmental influences that affected this interpretation.

Dr Hamilton then met with Professor Paul Flinn (USDA, ARS) and discussed his current projects including the biological control of stored grains pest using parasitoid wasps and experiments designed to parameterise an agent-based model for simulating red flour beetle movement. After Professor Flinn shared data with Dr Hamilton from extensive sampling of grain elevators, both scientists could see the benefit of future collaborations (together with Professor Subramanyam) due to similarities in their research. Professor Flinn also showed Dr Hamilton around the research facilities, including experimental grain silos, the grain elevator and various sampling equipment that they have used during experiments. This proved very useful and will lead to changes in the way that the research on Dr Hamilton’s current project, CRC30086: Stored Grains Sampling Strategies, is carried out.

Discussing his work with prominent plant biosecurity researchers was very useful for Dr Hamilton. Meetings with Professor David Hagstrum (retired), who has published extensively in grains sampling was especially useful in discovering different approaches for comparisons on existing grains models. Dr Hamilton then met with Dr Frank Arthur (USDA, ARS) to discuss his recent experiments involving aeration (comparison of top down or bottom up) and temperature profiles within grain. Dr Arthur is interested in sharing his data once it is complete.

At the University of Kansas Dr Hamilton met with a number of researchers in various fields including:

Professor John Leslie (Professor and Head, Department of Plant Pathology) and discussed his extensive research effort on fusarium wilt
Professor Tom Phillips (Head, Department of Entomology)
Professor Jim Stack (Director of the Biosecurity Research Institute) and Dr. Karen Garett to discuss invasion modelling, and
Professor Subramanyam also gave Dr Hamilton tours if KSU’s new bioprocessing facility and flour mill.

From this visit Dr Hamilton gained a broader understanding of the differences between the environment in which previous sampling research was conducted, and the research currently being conducted in Australia.

Dr Hamilton says “This trip has been important in contextualising different problems, and ultimately will lead to more targeted sampling management recommendations from my project [CRC30086: Stored Grains Sampling Strategies]. In addition to making myself and the project known to leading researchers in Biosecurity in Kansas, there are firm commitments from several researchers for future collaborations.”

Dr Hamilton and his team are already examining the data shared by Professor Flinn with a view to a collaborative paper. In addition, touring research facilities has given him ideas for possible future research.

10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection

VANMEURSA — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 05:17:06 +0000

Dr YongLin Ren travelled to Lisbon, Portugal to attend the 10th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection (IWCSPP) from 25 July to 3 August. This is the international research conference held every four years and reports advances in this field of research. It is fully focused on stored product insect/pathogen control, monitoring, diagnostic, resistance and quarantine treatment. More than 400 participants were present at the conference.

Dr Ren’s paper has been published in the conference proceedings and he gave two oral presentations at the conference:

Evaluation of headspace Solid Phase Micro-extraction method for analysis of phosphine residues in wheat (full paper and oral presentations)
Are the volatile chemicals from wheat and grain insects (Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Sitophilus granarius (L.)) related with inter-communication between insects and host? (oral presentations)

Attending the conference allowed Dr Ren to maintain and establish new contact with various scientists from high profile research establishments that are conducting work in similar fields. It was useful to share innovative results, such as collaboration with China to evaluate and develop semi-nano dust for stored product insect control in unsealed farm bin and shipping containers. Dr Ren also discussed with delegates from the United States and China to establish an international collaborative relationship on the eradication of Khapra beetle and the use of Nitrogen and CA+heat or fumigant for fumigation/sterilization/disinfection of grains and oil seeds. Furthermore, he discussed the possibility of exchangeing students and sharinge curriculum related to the biosecurity of stored grain with Chinese University and Kansas State University delegates.

During the conclusion of conference, the Food and Agriculture Organization raised issues regarding post harvest losses and food and trade security. Dr Ren believed it was very clear at this conference that the IWCSPP has no research strategy on the management of phosphine resistance. However, the 2014 phosphine review is challenging all the grain industry. Very few papers reported using sulphuryl fluoride (SF) for stored grain. It’s main use was reported for flour and structural fumigation.

Improving detection probabilities for pests in stored grain

VANMEURSA — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:59:58 +0000

Improving detection probabilities for pests in stored grain

From storage to export: learning about the grain supply chain

VANMEURSA — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:56:11 +0000

In mid-May, scientists from the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) travelled on a field trip to Western Australia’s farm grain storages in Northam and export facilities at York and Forrestfield.

The trip was organised by entomologists Maria Majer and Rob Emery. Maria works on the CRCNPB project titled Surveillance platform technology for predicting spread of EPPs. She works along with a research fellow from the School of Computer Science and Software Engineering of the University of Western Australia, providing biological information necessary for the simulation models. Rob Emery is a senior entomologist for DAFWA specialising in stored grain.

From DAFWA, four CRCNPB entomology projects were represented through Rob, Maria, Michelle Chami and Chris Newman. The UWA group comprised of PhD candidate, Mingren Shi and modellers Michael Renton, Juan Jose Garcia Adeva and James Bennett who are developing computer simulation models to predict the establishment or spread of invasive plant pests. Mingren and Michelle are both working under the supervision of Rob Emery. Mingren is working on a model for phosphine resistance in grain insects while Michelle is conducting the phosphine resistance testing.

The trip was a great opportunity to be far away from desks and computers on a beautiful sunny day. The group’s first stop was Forrestfield where everyone was impressed by the size and hygiene practices of CBH Group Metro Grain Centre facilities. Phil Taylor from CBH explained how his colleagues are working with growers to protect Western Australia’s international reputation for high quality grain.

From Forrestfield, the group continued to Northam to visit farm silos where Chris Newman outlined the importance of properly sealed silos to allow for effective fumigation. Rob Emery briefed the group on phosphine fumigation and the problem of insect pests of grain storage evolving phosphine resistance.

The insects observed on the day were the rust red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), the saw toothed grain beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis) and some beetle larvae.

The group continued the field day at the CBH York grain receival point where they continued to explore the facilities and equipment such as conveyor loading system, the bulk storage capacity, handling and transport system. Chris Newman and Phil Taylor explained how they can handle and store an average of 11 million tonnes of grain each year such as wheat, barley, lupins and canola.

This initiative followed the grain supply chain and was a very positive interaction for members across several CRC projects. Activities such as this demonstrate the benefits of collaborative networks created as part of the CRCNPB.

Photo caption: Rob Emery demonstrates how to sieve insects from stored grain. From (L-R) Chris Newman, Michael Renton and Mingren Shi look on.

Content and image supplied by: Maria Majer

Strategy to manage phosphine resistance

VANMEURSA — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 05:56:43 +0000

Protecting the Australian grains industry from new pest and disease threats is a major focus of our research. Projects range from an analysis of insect genetics to determine how chemical resistance evolves, to pest monitoring via mobile phone networks; all protecting domestic food production and the $5 billion grain export industry.

Phosphine resistance among stored grain insect pests is a major focus of our Post-Harvest Integrity Research program, which includes projects reviewing phosphine application techniques to improve effectiveness, new fumigation protocols in response to identified resistant insect populations, genetic research to identify resistance mechanisms, and most recently, research on insect ecology to support resistance management tactics.

Phosphine is central to pest management in the Australian grain industry and its continued effectiveness is essential to the sustainability of grain biosecurity and market access for Australian grains. In the past 10-15 years, resistance to phosphine in target insect pests has increased in both frequency and strength such that it now threatens effective control.

In response, and as an initiative of the National Working Party on Grain Protection, Dr Pat Collins, our Post-Harvest Integrity Research program leader has worked with government and industry to develop a publication providing strategic guidance to manage insect resistance to phosphine in the Australian grain industry.

The strategy was developed in consultation with the Australian grain industry to ensure that practical and commercial constraints inherent to this industry were accommodated without loss of the resistance management aim. The strategy applies to all sectors and is consistent with current best practice integrated pest management. However, the strategy is voluntary, and success will depend on industry commitment and widespread compliance. Where successful, these strategies will limit the spread and impact of resistance but not eradicate it.

To ensure this information is readily available to the grains industry, the strategy has recently been made available on Grain Trade Australia’s website. It is also available on our website.

Grains Knowledge Networks literature review final draft

VANMEURSA — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:46:38 +0000

Surveillance planning tool for exotic grain pests - Russian wheat aphid

VANMEURSA — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:26:30 +0000

Scenario Tree Analysis of Grain Surveillance for Karnal bunt in Western Australia

VANMEURSA — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:56:15 +0000